Zeekr sets up Korean entity, eyes 2026 market entry

Zeekr's SUV 7X (Zeekr)

China’s premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr has established a Korean entity, paving the way for its market entry next year.

Zeekr, a subsidiary of China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, founded Zeekr Intelligent Technology Korea on Feb. 28.

According to its registration with the Korean Supreme Court, the Korean office will handle imports, distribution, sales and after-sales services for vehicles and related products to be sold here.

Its business scope includes the development, manufacturing and processing of EV batteries, suggesting potential expansion into battery production in Korea.

The brand’s regional director for East Asia, Cao Yu, is registered as the corporation’s representative director, while Kim Nam-ho, who has led Zeekr’s launch in Korea, is also registered as an inside director.

As part of its plan to make a foray into the Korean market as early as 2026, Zeekr completed its trademark registration with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on March 17.

At the end of 2024, it also selected five Korean dealers — H Motors, Iron Motors, Gojin Motors, KCC Auto Group and Aju Autorium — for sales and after-sales service for its models.

As these dealerships have previously sold other Geely Group brands, including Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, the industry expects Zeekr to enter the Korean market more smoothly than Chinese EV brand BYD, whose entry has been delayed for over a month while awaiting EV subsidy qualification after its launch in January.

The Zeekr 001 sedan and Zeekr 7X sport utility vehicle are expected to be the first models to arrive in Korea, and the intellectual property authority is currently reviewing the Chinese automaker’s trademark application for the 7X name.

Launched in Europe last December, the premium SUV’s rear-wheel-drive model is priced at 53,000 euros ($57,380), while the all-wheel-drive model starts at 63,000 euros, highlighting its differentiated positioning from other budget EV models from China.