Zeekr Launches in Poland and Austria with Five EV Models
The Geely-owned brand adds two Central European markets with a lineup ranging from compact crossovers to its first plug-in hybrid SUV.
Key points
- Zeekr enters Poland and Austria with a five-model lineup including the X, 001, 7X, 7GT, and 9X.
- The Zeekr 9X is the brand's first plug-in hybrid in Europe, avoiding higher tariffs on battery electric vehicles.
- AutoWallis will distribute Zeekr in both new markets, alongside its existing Nio and Firefly operations.
Zeekr has officially entered the Polish and Austrian markets, adding two new destinations to its European footprint in a single day. The Geely-owned premium electric brand announced the expansion on Monday, bringing its total number of active European markets to approximately 18. This move expands its reach into Central Europe, building on recent entries into Portugal and Spain.
Both new markets will offer an identical five-model lineup: the Zeekr X, 001, 7X, 7GT, and 9X. According to eletric-vehicles.com, the launch follows the signing of distribution agreements earlier in September. However, specific details such as pricing, showroom locations, and exact delivery start dates have not yet been published for either country.
Distribution partners handle new markets
The expansion relies on two distinct distribution partners. Salvador Caetano Auto, a Portuguese group, will manage sales in Poland, marking its third European market for Zeekr after Portugal and Spain. Meanwhile, AutoWallis, a company listed in Hungary, serves as the joint partner for Poland and the sole importer for Austria.
Notably, AutoWallis will now manage three different electric vehicle brands across these regions. The company already holds exclusive distribution rights for Nio and Firefly in Poland, Hungary, Austria, Czechia, and Romania. This consolidation means one distributor will oversee Nio, Firefly, and Zeekr operations in both new markets, potentially streamlining service and sales infrastructure for local buyers.
Lineup omits one announced model
While AutoWallis initially announced a six-model opening lineup for the fourth quarter, Zeekr Europe’s official posts list only five models, omitting the 8X. Geely Auto Group CEO Gan Jiayue previously stated in April that the overseas rollout for the 8X would begin in the fourth quarter and extend into early 2027. This timing likely explains its absence from the initial launch inventory in these specific markets.
The available range spans from the compact Zeekr X crossover to the full-size 9X luxury SUV. The 001 shooting brake, 7X mid-size SUV, and 7GT grand tourer are fully electric vehicles built on Geely’s SEA platform. All three utilize 800V-class architecture and offer both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants, catering to diverse driving preferences within the region.
Hybrid model avoids extra tariffs
The Zeekr 9X stands out as the brand’s first extended-range electric vehicle in Europe. Unlike the fully electric models, the 9X pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with electric motors. This configuration allows it to operate as a plug-in hybrid, offering a combined range of up to 737 km according to European specifications. European reservations opened in August with a refundable deposit, with deliveries scheduled to begin in December 2026.
A significant financial distinction exists for the 9X regarding import costs. As an extended-range vehicle, it falls outside the EU’s countervailing duties applied to Chinese-made battery electric vehicles. While Geely-group BEVs face an additional 18.8% tariff on top of the standard 10% import duty, the hybrid 9X is subject only to the standard 10% rate. This regulatory difference may influence its pricing competitiveness against pure electric rivals in the premium segment.
