Quick Read
- Zeekr opened its first South Korean showroom in Seoul’s Gangnam district to challenge Hyundai’s market dominance.
- The revamped Zeekr 009 MPV launches May 19 featuring 900-volt architecture and a 10-minute rapid charge capability.
- Chinese-made EV market share in Korea has reached 33.9 percent, driven by rising imports and new brand entries.
SEOUL (Azat TV) – Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle arm of Geely Holding Group, officially inaugurated its South Korean presence on Friday with the opening of a flagship showroom in Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district. This strategic move signals a direct challenge to the long-standing domestic dominance of Hyundai Motor Group. The expansion coincides with the company’s confirmation that its revamped 009 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) will officially launch on May 19, 2026. These synchronized developments underscore a broader shift in the global automotive landscape, as Chinese manufacturers transition from competing on price to challenging legacy brands in the high-margin premium segment through advanced power electronics and rapid-charging technology.
Zeekr Korea and the 7X SUV Market Entry
The brand’s debut in Seoul was marked by a high-profile ceremony attended by Zeekr Korea CEO Lim Hyun-ki, Zeekr International Chief Operating Officer Jeff Cao, and Zeekr International CEO Chen Yu. The leadership team confirmed that the first model designated for the Korean market will be the 7X SUV, a midsize vehicle tailored to meet local consumer demand for spacious family transport. Expected to launch in the latter half of 2026, the 7X will be the first facelifted version of the model introduced outside of China, according to reports from the Korea Herald.
Built on Geely’s 800-volt Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, the 7X is engineered for high-performance efficiency. It features an ultrafast charging capability that allows the battery to replenish from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 10.5 minutes. With a projected driving range of up to 615 kilometers under European WLTP standards, the 7X is positioned to compete directly with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Industry analysts estimate the 7X will be priced between 50 million won and 60 million won ($34,000-$40,900), placing it in the heart of the premium mainstream segment where Hyundai currently holds a significant lead.
Technical Advancements in the Revamped Zeekr 009
While the Korean expansion focuses on SUVs, Zeekr is simultaneously preparing to refresh its flagship 009 MPV. Scheduled for a formal launch on May 19, the updated model introduces several industry-leading technical specifications. High-end trims of the new 009 will be upgraded to a 900-volt high-voltage architecture, a significant leap from the standard 800-volt systems currently becoming common in the industry. This architecture is paired with the 6C Qilin battery from CATL, which enables unprecedented charging speeds, as detailed by CnEVPost.
The performance variants of the 009 are equipped with 680-kilowatt dual motors, producing approximately 912 horsepower. This allows the heavy luxury MPV to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Inside, the vehicle emphasizes executive comfort with a six-seat Ultra+ Executive configuration featuring aviation-grade seating and a 17-inch OLED ceiling-mounted screen. Intelligence is driven by the Nvidia Drive Thor-U chip, providing 700 TOPS of computing power to support over 70 active safety configurations and advanced assisted driving systems.
Shifting Competition in the Korean EV Sector
Zeekr’s entry comes at a time of rapid transformation within the South Korean automotive market. Data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association indicates that sales of Chinese-made EVs surged by over 112 percent last year, capturing a 33.9 percent market share. While much of this growth was driven by China-produced Tesla Model Y units, the arrival of dedicated premium brands like Zeekr and mass-market competitors like BYD is creating a pincer movement against local incumbents.
BYD Korea is already exerting pressure on the entry-level and mass-market segments, positioning models like the Atto 3 and Seal against Kia’s EV3 and EV6. Zeekr’s focus on the premium segment completes this offensive. Industry sources suggest that executives at Zeekr’s Korean operations are negotiating pricing structures that are more competitive than those found in other Asia-Pacific markets to secure an initial customer base and foster brand loyalty. The success of these brands will likely depend on their ability to overcome brand perception hurdles through superior charging infrastructure and software integration.
em>The aggressive deployment of 900-volt architecture and sub-11-minute charging times by Zeekr represents a technological front-running strategy that forces legacy manufacturers to accelerate their own research and development cycles or risk losing the narrative of innovation in the premium electric segment.