Chinese EV maker Zeekr enters Italian market

Chinese EV brand Zeekr will launch in Italy this week, marking its entry into the Italian market, according to a company statement.

Fully owned by Geely Holding Group, Zeekr plans to begin delivering its four-model lineup and open retail stores in the spring, in partnership with Jameel Motors.

Zeekr considers Italy a key market in its European expansion, citing increasing demand for premium EVs and expanding charging infrastructure.

The brand has been selling vehicles in Germany since December and is present in several European countries, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Zeekr plans to enter additional markets such as France, the UK, and Spain in 2026.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Zeekr targets German luxury brands while keeping room to price competitively

Zeekr has said it wants to avoid a “race to the bottom” and compete in the “premium field” 1.
It has framed BMW and Mercedes-Benz as benchmarks; the same source does not back a claim that it also positioned itself against Tesla in that statement 1.
Management said the brand aims to steer clear of price wars and separate itself from high-volume Chinese makers such as BYD 1.
Zeekr also said prices will be “quite aggressively” set, which leaves room to undercut rivals while still pursuing a premium image 1.

EU countervailing duties add costs as Zeekr expands in Europe

In late October 2024, the European Union wrapped up its anti-subsidy probe and set definitive countervailing duties for five years, effective Oct. 31, 2024 2.
The cited Geely rate is 18.8%, which applies to Chinese exporting producers including Geely, not a duty described as specific to “Zeekr’s parent company” in the source 2.
These measures followed rising Chinese-built EV penetration in the EU, with one analysis putting Chinese brands’ share at 1.9% in 2020 and 14.1% in Q2 2024 3.
Europe plans now hinge on absorbing the added tariffs while continuing rollout of China-made battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) across the bloc 2.