You might have seen some photos of the Zeekr 001. It’s the world’s driftiest shooting brake, holding a Guinness World Record for the world’s fastest-drifting EV. The company also refreshed its 001 lineup for 2023 with mind-boggling range. But you probably thought the 001 was a Kia EV6, because, well look at it.
The Chinese brand, owned by the same company (Geely) that controls Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus, is planning an expansion, per Reuters. This is not the brand’s rumored US expansion, the circumstances of which are still very much rumors despite a recently uncovered IPO filing in the US. Instead, the brand has its sights set on Europe first, while tabling discussion surrounding American consumer sales.
Reuters pens Tesla as the automaker’s biggest competitor. The 001 is roughly Model Y-ish in both shape and price ($43,600 US), but that changes in Europe- especially at that price point. The Hyundais, Kias, and BMWs of the world will be coming for a brand without an established presence in a global market. Just look at what is happening to VinFast after American journalists drove its cars for the first time.