Zeekr X, a compact electric crossover developed by Zeekr, has commenced production at the company’s manufacturing facility in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China. The vehicle, which shares its platform with the Smart #1 and Volvo EX30, was previewed in February and officially launched in April. Impressively, just two months later, the Zeekr X has already started rolling off the assembly line, and deliveries are scheduled to begin later this month in the Chinese market.
The Zeekr X is built on Geely’s Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA), the same platform utilized by the recently unveiled Volvo EX30 and Smart #1 crossover. With a starting price of $27,600 (189,800 yuan), the base rear-wheel-drive model offers 200 kW (268 horsepower). Additionally, an all-wheel-drive variant is available, starting at $30,500 (209,800 yuan). This version features a dual-motor setup, generating 315 kW (422 hp) and 400 pound-feet (543 Newton-meters) of torque. As a result, it can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour (0-100 kilometers per hour) in just 3.7 seconds.
Both iterations of the Zeekr X are equipped with a 66-kilowatt-hour battery pack utilizing Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) chemistry. According to the automaker, the rear-wheel-drive model can achieve a range of up to 348 miles (560 km) on a single charge, while the all-wheel-drive model can travel up to 318 miles (512 km) before requiring a recharge. These figures are based on calculations made using China’s CLTC testing standards.
Zeekr has set an ambitious target of delivering at least 40,000 units of the Zeekr X to retailers across China this year. While a European debut is anticipated in the future, parent company Geely faces the challenge of positioning both the Zeekr X and Volvo EX30 as premium offerings in Europe, given their affordable starting prices of under $35,000.
Established in 2021, Zeekr achieved sales of 71,941 vehicles in China last year. In addition to the Zeekr X, the company manufactures the 001 wagon and the 009 MPV, neither of which are currently available in Europe or the United States. However, Zeekr plans to expand into the European market next year, with the aim of selling 650,000 units globally by 2025.
