Written by Cláudio Afonso and Collins Eshiet
In the first days of the year, a spokesperson of China’s electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr told Reuters that the company aims to double its sales and deliver 230,000 in 2024.
However, the company backed by Geely is facing challenges in meeting its ambitious sales target.
As of the end of August, the company had delivered 121,540 cars globally, accounting for 52.8 percent of its annual goal, leaving it with 108,460 units to sell by year-end.
With over 60,000 orders in the first three weeks, the recently launched Zeekr 7X is the brand’s candidate for a fourth quarter sales push.
During the launch event held last week, the model was priced at 229,900 yuan ($32,700), 4 percent lower than the presale price communicated on August 30.
The company recorded its highest monthly sales this year in June, delivering 20,106 vehicles, but recent figures show a decline, with 18,015 units sold in August, a 46 percent year-on-year increase.
To meet its 2024 target, Zeekr will need to significantly accelerate sales and deliver an average of over 27,000 units in September, October, November and December.
A Zeekr spokesperson told EV that the company is “expanding our production line during the summer to support the production of the upcoming Zeekr 7X and Zeekr MIX, which affected our production and deliveries in July and August.”
The 7X is available in three versions—rear-wheel drive, long-range rear-wheel drive, and long-range four-wheel drive—with prices starting at 229,900 yuan (approximately $32,700) and rising to 269,900 yuan ($38,400).
The 7X is equipped with advanced technology, including an 800V architecture and laser radar systems, features that ZEEKR believes will help the model stand out in the market.
Zhu Ling, the company’s Vice President of Intelligent Technology, confirmed that all models are outfitted with top-tier intelligent hardware, with no planned upgrades for at least a year.
Zeekr will enter the Japanese market next year with showrooms planned to open in Tokyo and the Kansai region before the year end.
The first models to debut in Japan will be the right-hand drive versions of the Zeekr X urban SUV and the Zeekr 009 MPV.
Written by Cláudio Afonso and Collins Eshiet
