Zeekr takes its premium SUVs global as 9X and 8X prepare for world tour

We are about to see a lot more of Zeekr vehicles on our roads. This high-end brand, owned by the Geely Auto Group, is officially packing its bags for a global trip. CEO Gan Jiayue shared that the company is ready to send its most popular models to drivers across the globe. This is a huge step for a brand that has mostly stayed close to home until now. 2026 looks like it might be the most important year in the company's short history.

The flagship Zeekr 9X SUV is the first model on the list to go abroad. This large vehicle is built for serious travel. Starting in June 2026, the 9X will begin appearing in the Middle East. Shortly after that, drivers in Central Asia will get their chance to buy one in the third quarter of 2026, and if you live in Europe, you will have to wait until the end of the year to see this model in local showrooms.

The 9X brings a lot of power to the table. It uses three electric motors and a turbocharged gasoline engine working together. This combination delivers 1,030 kilowatts of power - that is an incredible amount of muscle for a luxury SUV. Because it is a plug-in hybrid, it can travel about 777 miles before it needs more fuel or a battery charge, making it perfect for people who want to drive electric cars but still feel nervous about finding charging stations on long trips.

The Zeekr 9X is already a massive hit in China. During the first three months of 2026, the company delivered 22,000 of these SUVs to customers. Since its launch in September 2025, more than 50,000 people have driven one off the lot. These numbers are very strong, especially when you consider the price. The average buyer pays about $73,000 for a 9X. In its home market, the price usually stays above RMB 500,000, which is roughly $69,000.

If the 9X seems a bit too large or pricey, the Zeekr 8X is right behind it. This model is all about performance and speed. It features a tri-motor hybrid system that pumps out 1,381 horsepower. It can sprint from zero to 62 mph in only 2.96 seconds - faster than many supercars that cost a whole lot more. The 8X will start its own global expansion at the end of 2026, with more deliveries reaching new markets in early 2027.

The 8X is priced to attract a wider range of buyers compared to its bigger sibling. It generally costs between $51,999 and $62,207. The company even offered a limited-time deal during the launch, where the price started at just over $48,000. For an EV with that much performance, that is quite a bargain.

Australia is also on the map for these new electric cars. The 9X is expected to land there between the end of 2026 and the start of 2027. This is all part of Geely's grand plan to sell 640,000 vehicles outside of China by the end of 2026. Zeekr is the premium part of this plan. They are focusing on the market segments where people want high-tech gadgets and lots of power. It seems the strategy is working so far.

The sales data shows the brand is moving in the right direction. In the first quarter of 2026, Zeekr sold nearly 60,000 cars in its home market. That is a jump of over 48% compared to the same time the year before. Sales did dip slightly from the end of 2025, but the brand is still grabbing a bigger piece of the total market. Their market share grew from 0.8% to 1.4% in just twelve months. That might sound like a small number, but in the world's biggest EV market, it is a significant gain.

Zeekr used to only make battery-powered EVs, but with the 9X and 8X, they are proving that they can also build great hybrids. They give drivers the quiet, smooth feel of electric cars while keeping a gas engine as a backup. It is a smart move for a company that wants to sell cars in places where charging stations are still hard to find.

The global car market is getting very crowded, but Zeekr seems ready for the fight. With big power numbers and fast acceleration, these SUVs are hard to ignore. There is absolutely no question that as they move into Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, other luxury brands will have to work much harder to keep their customers.

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