First units of Zeekr 001 delivered to Europe

11 December 2023

Zeekr, the electric vehicle brand under the Chinese automotive giant Geely Group, has officially begun deliveries in Europe, starting with the Netherlands, where the eagerly awaited Zeekr 001 shooting brake was handed over to its first European customer. The much-anticipated delivery took place at Zeekr's delivery center in Zeist, Netherlands.

"Incredibly proud of the amazing Zeekr Europe team that has made this possible," commented Zeekr European CEO Spiros Fotinos, who personally attended the event, highlighting the dedication and hard work that went into this achievement.

The presale of two Zeekr models, the 001 and the Zeekr X mid-size SUV, kicked off in June in the Netherlands and Sweden. The 001 is priced at $63,840, while the Zeekr X comes in at $48,280, making them competitive options in the European electric vehicle market.

The first Zeekr 001 destined for the European market rolled off the assembly line in China on August 2 and set sail for Europe on August 25. Zeekr has an ambitious plan to expand its presence in Europe to operate in four European countries by 2024 and establish an international presence in eight countries by 2025.

Currently, Zeekr already has direct-operated stores in the Netherlands, and Sweden, and test drives of the Zeekr X and 001 are available in both of these European nations. Zeekr Europe, headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, has made Amsterdam its "home of European sales," as it aims to enhance its operations. The company plans to move 80 employees from Gothenburg to Amsterdam and hire an additional 100 locally.

In a surprising move in September, Zeekr unveiled the performance version of the 001 called 001 FR. With a whopping 1,247 hp and an astonishing 0-62 mph acceleration time of just 2.07 seconds, it competes head-to-head with the Tesla Model S Plaid. The 001 FR also boasts the ability to perform a 360-degree tank turn. While it's rumored to make its way to Europe like its slower counterpart, no specific timeline has been provided.

Zeekr's parent company, Geely Group, is already known for its success in the European EV market, with brands like Lynk&Co, Polestar, and Lotus making their presence felt in Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries. This solid track record in the EV industry makes Zeekr a brand to watch as it enters the European arena.

In China, Zeekr offers the 009 MPV, which will not make its way to Europe, but there's hope for a rebadged version, the Volvo EM90, to find its place in the European market. Zeekr's impressive performance in China is evident, with 13,104 EVs sold in November alone, marking a 23% increase from the previous year. Cumulative deliveries for 2023 (January – November) have reached an impressive 102,752 units.

For European customers, Zeekr has brought three versions of the 001, catering to different needs. There's the Long Range RWD with a 200 kW motor, offering a WLTP range of 385 miles, and two AWD trims with 400 kW motors. These AWD variants can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds and provide a range of 367 miles, making them exciting options for EV enthusiasts.

Via