appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Cao Li

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) brand owned by Geely Auto, has entered the Italian market, with customer deliveries and retail openings set to follow in spring.
The move is part of its broader European expansion, following the launch of sales in Germany in December last year.
In partnership with local distributor Jameel Motors Italia, Zeekr began taking orders for its full model range on Thursday, according to a press release.
“Italy is a key market in our European expansion, and the timing for Zeekr’s entry could not be better,” said Lothar Schupet, acting CEO of Zeekr Europe.
“Demand for premium electric vehicles is growing rapidly, supported by continued investment in charging infrastructure. Together, we look forward to introducing Zeekr to Italian customers and contributing to the development of electric mobility in the country.”
Founded in 2021 by Geely, China’s second-largest carmaker, Zeekr began selling and delivering vehicles in Europe in 2023, starting with Sweden and the Netherlands.
The company plans to expand into additional European markets in 2026, including France, Britain and Spain.
In an interview with French television network France 24 on Thursday, Schupet said Zeekr would launch sales in France in the coming weeks, with its first dealership opening next month.

Loyalty to long-established European car brands had declined in recent years, driven in part by the rise of Chinese carmakers offering strong value for money, he said. For the same price, customers received “much more technology, more performance, and also, in our case, craftsmanship and luxury”.
Zeekr also sees an opportunity as Europe moves towards banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
“Even in very traditional countries like Germany and France, EV adoption is starting to accelerate,” Schupet said. “We believe sustainability can only move forward with the right products for consumers who recognise the value of electrification.”
Beyond Europe, the company has expanded in recent years into Southeast Asia and the Middle East as part of a broader wave of Chinese carmakers going global.
BYD, which overtook Tesla to become the world’s largest EV maker last year, began its global expansion in 2021 and now operates in 112 countries. In September, BYD sold 11,271 cars in the UK, an annual increase of 880 per cent.
Despite tariffs of up to 45 per cent on Chinese EVs in Europe, Schupet said Zeekr would press ahead with its regional plans.
“Of course we are exploring options such as local production and ways to become even more efficient,” he said.


Tesla auditing Chinese suppliers ahead of Optimus roll-out: sources

US firm Waymo to launch robotaxi service in Singapore in 2028

Tesla revives China discounts; Iran war drives shift to electric cars: 7 EV reads

China’s five-year plan for the new-energy vehicle sector

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Zeekr accelerates European expansion with Italy launch

Zeekr is betting on European demand for high-spec models in its foray into Italy. Photo: Getty Images

Zeekr is eyeing an opportunity as Europe moves towards banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. Photo: Getty Images

China EV makers’ November sales jolt records as buyers rush in before incentive phase-out

Voyah’s monthly sales rose for a fourth straight month, with deliveries rising 16.2 per cent month on month to 20,005 vehicles. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese EV makers from Leapmotor to Zeekr challenge Tesla in premium segment

Leapmotor’s D19 SUV is displayed during its launch ceremony in Shanghai on Thursday. Photo: Daniel Ren

An EV chassis is displayed at Leapmotor’s event to unveil the D19 SUV in Shanghai on Thursday. Photo: Daniel Ren

China’s BYD and Geely bid for Nissan-Mercedes Mexico plant to dodge Trump tariffs

View of a section of a Nissan and Mercedes‑Benz joint factory in Aguascalientes, Mexico on Monday. Photo: Reuters

A BYD advertisement at the Mexico City airport. Photo: Ji Siqi

Chinese EV makers’ shares skid as sales slide after tax incentive ends

BYD EVs proceed through assembly at a plant in Zhengzhou, in central China’s Henan Province, on November 14, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

People view a Nio ET9 at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition on April 25, 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chinese carmaker BYD chases 24% export growth with new models, more showrooms abroad

Cars unloaded from the ship BYD Changzhou await further movement at a port in Argentina on January 19, 2026. Photo: AFP

A BYD Sealion 5 plug-in hybrid SUV is displayed at a launch event in Muldersdrift, South Africa, on December 4, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Business

News

The carmaker is pressing ahead despite tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, betting on demand for high-spec models


The carmaker is pressing ahead despite tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, betting on demand for high-spec models.


Chinese EV maker Zeekr accelerates European expansion with Italy launch

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The carmaker is pressing ahead despite tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, betting on demand for high-spec models

The carmaker is pressing ahead despite tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, betting on demand for high-spec models