A Zeekr 9X and 7X are seen at a showroom in Beijing, April 16. AFP-Yonhap
Zeekr is set to deepen its rivalry with Tesla, Polestar and Genesis in a bid to follow in the footsteps of BYD’s success in Korea.
The Chinese premium electric vehicle (EV) brand is scheduled to introduce the 7X midsize electric SUV in the second half of this year, with its price expected to be around 60 million won ($40,000), directly challenging models from established EV brands, including Tesla’s Model Y, the Polestar 4 SUV and the Genesis Electrified GV70.
In particular, the 7X’s biggest rival is expected to be the Model Y, which has emerged as the top-selling EV in Korea, with prices hovering around 60 million won.
The Polestar 4 is also viewed as a direct competitor to the Chinese company. The Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor starts at 66.9 million won in Korea.
The Polestar 4 electric SUV / Courtesy of Polestar Korea
Although both Zeekr and Polestar belong to China’s Geely Holding Group, Zeekr positions itself as a competitively priced alternative to Polestar, while offering similar electrification technologies.
The Genesis Electrified GV70 is another potential rival. While Genesis retains a strong premium image and a nationwide after-sales service network in Korea, the Zeekr 7X may hold an advantage in price competitiveness, as the Genesis EV is priced in the mid-70 million won range.
German premium brands may also face competition from the Chinese EV. The Audi Q4 e-tron is priced in the upper-60 million won range in Korea. Zeekr could attempt to differentiate itself by offering a larger body size and strong driving range at a lower price point.
The 7X is equipped with a 100 kilowatt-hour battery pack capable of delivering up to 615 kilometers of driving range under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure standard, making it a compelling alternative to the aforementioned premium EVs from other brands.
Industry officials said there is ample room for the Chinese EV to follow in the footsteps of BYD.
BYD Korea climbed to become the nation’s fourth-largest imported car brand by monthly vehicle sales last month, outpacing established rivals such as Volvo, Audi and Lexus just over a year after starting its first vehicle deliveries in April 2025.
“Few expected BYD to achieve robust sales in only a year after its debut here,” an auto industry official said.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that Zeekr also makes a splash in Korea’s imported vehicle market, as the brand’s flagship vehicles are well-recognized for their strong commercial value not just in China, but in other overseas markets.”