Zeekr News

Geely sub-brand Zeekr has unveiled its ultra fast charger in China, which boasts some bonkers charging numbers as it looks to take on BYD.The brand’s official testing data reveals it can charge a vehicle from 10-97 per cent in under nine minutes. Charging from 10-80 per cent takes a little over five minutes, while 10-70 per cent charges are under five minutes.These numbers are better than those of BYD's ‘T’-shaped megawatt flash charger announced earlier this year, which can charge from 10-97 per cent in nine minutes and charge from 10-70 per cent in five minutes.According to Geely, the peak charging power registered at 1100kW, and maintained more than 500kW after reaching 80 per cent charge. It uses the same industry-leading liquid-cooled system as on BYD's unit.Maintaining such a high level of power in the latter stages of charging is a game changer, because most chargers slow down significantly due to the difficulty in locating spare cells.These figures were achieved using the 900-volt platform found on several high-end Zeekr models, such as the 007 GT wagon and the 9X SUV, both of which will be landing on Aussie shores.Geely is the latest brand to get in on the charging game in China, with it becoming the latest battleground for manufacturers in conjunction with expanding charging infrastructure territory.There is no official timeline for a commercial rollout of Geely’s new chargers, but the brand’s broader charging network had more than 2000 charging stations and more than 10,000 charging plugs as of February 2026. Only just over 1000 of these are ultra-fast chargers, which is behind many of Geely’s key rivals.BYD has been rapidly expanding its network in China to chase down the dominant player in Tesla, having already built 5000 of its megawatt charger at the start of this month. It aims to install 20,000 stations by the end of this year.Megawatt fast charging is still an emerging area in Australia, but BYD has already indicated its intention to bring across a version of its megawatt charger Down Under in the next 12-18 months.Charging infrastructure generally in Australia needs to be increased substantially in the next few years according to experts to accommodate greater numbers of EVs on the roads.

Don’t for a second put up with politicians trying to shift any of the blame for fuel shortages onto panic buying or people filling up a few jerry cans. The government has not only known about the possibility of running out of fuel, but it ensured it happened through a risky practice that it had been warned about for years.As the war in the Middle East escalates and enters its second month the global economy is creaking under the pressure of petrol and diesel shortages, with Iran permitting very few oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz - the crucial shipping lane linking oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE to the world. Iran’s holding 20 per cent of the world’s oil hostage wasn’t unforeseen. Fuel security experts have been well aware of the risk for decades. Six years ago CarsGuide published the story I wrote of the risk of a war with Iran causing a fuel shortage. In the story former Royal Australia Air Force Deputy Chief John Blackburn, now a consultant on defence and national security, said Australia's lack of larger fuel reserves was a huge risk.As of late March, 2026, Australia had 30 days of diesel and 39 days of petrol left. Jet fuel was down to just 30 days, too.“The issue is the government doesn’t mandate that industry has to hold minimum stock levels. Most other developed countries do,” Blackburn said.“My view is the government isn’t keen on doing it because it has a free market approach. Now if there are no risks around, then that makes economic sense. But this idea that during peace time we’ll just let the market run and in war time we’ll do something else is outdated because there is no such thing as peace time any more.”So the government knew the risks and was willing to take them and work it out later if a problem ever arose. And when I say government I’m not referring to Labor or Liberal, I’m mean both, because it has been the same policy of both sides over successive governments.  The problem is now here and you can hear the concern in politician voices - this is an incredibly worrying situation that won’t right itself the day after the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. And there has been no attempt by any successive government over the years to change this practice. As Blackburn said, if we were to take up electric cars, which are powered by the electricity we made ourselves, then the fuel supply would be as secure as it could get."If you want to reduce demand you need to diversify the types of energy cars and trucks use… electricity will be absolutely critical to this. The good thing with electricity and also hydrogen vehicles is that we can generate the electricity and the hydrogen in Australia – 100 per cent of it. We don’t have to be 90 per cent dependent on imported diesel, unleaded and jet fuel as we are today.”And as the Government scrambles to produce modelling that will tell us exactly how long we have left before the Hunger Games start, there still doesn’t appear to be any thought going into how we can decouple from petrol and diesel and transition to electric.Because the cars are here and the infrastructure is now rolling out fast. I’ve been writing car news for 15 years and I’ve watched the big take up of EVs and I’ve also watched the government do nothing to incentivise it as well.Chinese brands such as BYD, Geely, Zeekr, Chery, MG and GWM have such production capability that we’ve been told quietly that vehicle supply is not a problem - name a number and it’ll be here on the next boat.That’s a frightening prospect to the Ford, Honda and even Toyotas of this world that are scrambling to work out what to do and which Chinese brand to join because beating them is no longer an option. Look, I have no doubt everything will be fine, but I can’t stress enough that we shouldn’t be letting it get this close again to realise that electric vehicles are the only way to secure our country better from fuel threats. And hydrogen will work for long haul trucks no problem at all - it’s already being tested by big names you’re familiar with already and is just around the corner.In the meantime don’t accept the blame for the fuel shortage - it’s not you using too much, it’s them not buying enough in the first place.

Last year saw a paradigm shift in Australia’s new-car market.The introduction of the government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) catapulted Australia’s emissions regime from the 1980s into the 21st century, and many brands began re-thinking their line-ups in Australia as the clock started on tough fines.Perhaps the biggest and most unprecedented change was the rise of the BYD Shark 6, which pretty much single-handedly proved the dual-cab ute class can be electrified, while the Chinese juggernaut stormed its way up the charts, helping to permanently re-shape the make-up of Australia’s favourite automakers.In the first months of 2026, the shift has continued. China has now become the number one source of new cars to Australia, finally taking over from Japan and Thailand.But what can we expect to look back on by the end of this year? What will change and how will your new car buying experience be re-shaped?Making predictions is always dangerous, but with another fuel crisis hitting hard, we can be fairly certain of at least a few outcomes — let’s see what we think.The dawn of the diesel-hybridChery’s headline-grabbing news from the past few months has been the confirmation of its upcoming diesel hybrid ute, codenamed KP31, for Australia.The upcoming and much-hyped Chery ute will bring what many buyers are asking for - diesel capability with plug-in hybrid fuel consumption.We know more about this upcoming ute thanks to its reveal in China under Chery’s commercial arm, Rely.It will use a new ground-up ‘Kaitan’ platform, and will maintain solid links to the axles - more like GWM’s Cannon Alpha PHEV than the BYD Shark 6.It will also be hoping to seize on the plug-in hybrid ute trend, which BYD has kick-started, and many of its rivals are now seeking to emulate. Whether the extra capability and allure of diesel is enough to make it the next hot thing in dual-cabs remains to be seen.More storied automakers will look to China for helpNissan has made it fairly clear that it will look to China for help, with its appealing range of Chinese-built vehicles benefitting from Chinese hybrid and EV know-how and rapid development cycles. The latter, which has become known as ‘China Speed’ in the industry, will cut the time it takes to do things that once meant long waits, like the conversion to right-hand drive and the various changes required to meet compliance regulations in obscure markets like Australia.No doubt Nissan’s most sought-after Chinese-built model will be the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid dual-cab, long suggested by executives to be an emissions-friendly alternative to be sold alongside the Mitsubishi Triton-based new-generation Navara in the Australian market.Nissan’s Chinese portfolio doesn’t end there. The brand also has an array of well-received-in-China electric cars, including the N7 sedan and upcoming NX8 SUV as ideal replacements for its ageing Pathfinder, and NVES-friendly supplemental models to the hybrid X-Trail and Qashqai.Nissan certainly isn’t the only brand that might be forced to turn more to China to bolster its line-up. Ford, facing a particular cliff with NVES in the coming years thanks to its diesel-heavy sales footprint of Rangers and Everests might need to import cars like the Chinese ‘New-Energy’ plug-in hybrid Ford Bronco (related to the American Ford Bronco in design only) as a more appealing emissions-friendly option for its more adventure-curious buyers.Even Toyota, whose line-up is already heavily hybrid may need to turn to its Chinese joint-ventures for more price-sensitive zero emissions models like the GAC Aion V-based bZ3X which was recently announced in right-hand drive for the Hong Kong market. Watch this space.The top-10 will continue to be re-shapedAt the end of 2025 there were three Chinese brands in the top 10 in Australia: GWM in seventh position, BYD in eighth position, and MG in 10th.Already in the first few months of 2026, this ranking has continued to shift. BYD has already unseated GWM as Australia’s favourite Chinese brand and has vaulted Mitsubishi, landing in sixth position through the first two months of the year.This puts it within striking distance of Hyundai in a tightly contested race for a top-three position (there are less than 1000 sales between Mazda, Ford, Kia and Hyundai in the next four positions below Toyota), which BYD bosses bravely predicted for 2026.GWM is holding position in seventh, but Mitsubishi might not be able to hold it at bay for long.Chery is one to watch in 2026, as it has managed to leapfrog MG and clinch eighth position so far this year.Other more recent arrivals from China also have brave top-10 predictions. GAC could be the next brand to leap up the charts following in the footsteps of its contemporaries. While it may seem farfetched now, the Toyota-allied brand has access to the right products at similarly aggressive prices, with hybrids and plug-ins featuring heavily in its line-up, which the brand recently told CarsGuide is set to include a large SUV and ute before long.China-owned MG, too, will be playing defence, launching a range of more affordable vehicles as it looks to hang on to its top-10 position.Thailand is down, but not outThailand at various times has been one of the locations from which most Australian cars are sourced. Toyota, Honda and Ford have historically sourced many models from there, with the current top-selling Ranger, HiLux and D-Max all being sourced from the country.It has dropped down the list, as Chinese-built cars have increasingly been sourced for Australia from both new and historic brands. With even the Kia EV5 and Hyundai Elexio being Chinese-built Korean cars for the Australian market.But Thailand’s importance looks to be re-asserted as more Chinese brands establish strategic manufacturing facilities in the South East Asian auto hub.Obvious advantages are the fact that cars are built there on dedicated right-hand drive production facilities, freeing up space in Chinese factories to focus on other left-hand drive markets, while favourable government kickbacks, a free trade agreement with Australia, and a domestic market with an increasingly large taste for electrified vehicles will keep Thailand important for years to come.Big SUVs will be the next Chinese automaker battlegroundIn case you haven’t noticed, many big Chinese brands have shifted their focus. While utes and affordable hatchbacks and small SUVs continue to be all the rage, in their quest to actually generate profits, many Chinese brands have thrown huge amounts of resources into developing large luxury electric and plug-in hybrid models.The five-meter-long SUV space looks to be the next major battleground for these automakers, with Zeekr’s much-hyped plug-in hybrid 8X large SUV earmarked for an Australian arrival, and no doubt MG’s luxury IM marque will be looking to import versions of its LS8 or LS9.GAC has announced its next move will be a large SUV (likely the car known as the GS8 in China), while Leapmotor will move into new territory with its D16 and BYD’s Great Tang flagship have created some major buzz.Will they sell in Australia? With more fuel-conscious than ever new car buyers still crying out for more affordable electric options than the Kia EV9 for example (from $97,000) and Chinese automakers heavily incentivized to seek higher profit margins in markets like Australia, it seems possible we could be inundated with models like this in the latter part of the year.

Zeekr’s new model roll-out for 2026 and 2027 has kicked off with a refreshed version of its X small SUV.The X arrived in 2024, but didn’t make as much of an impact as Zeekr perhaps hoped, with buyers looking for a more mid-sized rival to the Tesla Model Y, which has since eventuated with the arrival of the 7X.Now though, Zeekr has made key improvements to the X range to help bolster its chances in an extremely competitive luxury small SUV space.Still starting under $50,000 for the base rear-drive version, the X scores a range of upgrades including new heated first and second row seats, refreshed steerin gwheel controls, and a 13-speaker Yamaha surround sound system.In addition, the range has been updated to include the latest version of the brand’s active safety suite, which includes five cameras, five radars and 12 ultra-sonic sensors, which also allows the car to be able to auto-park.Aesthetically the new X isn’t much of a facelift from the outside, but it does score an overhauled interior, with a new and more luxurious bridge-style console replacing the floating console from the outgoing car.The biggest improvement to the base rear-drive variant is the upgrade to Zeekr’s signature “Golden Battery”, which allows up to 230kW DC fast charging and reduces the quoted 10 - 80 per cent charge time to just 18 minutes.Meanwhile the top-spec all-wheel drive version of the car scores message functions for the front seats, and an onboard fridge. It is also able to be chosen in a new Khaki Green Matte and Onyx Black colour schemes, with new 20-inch wheel designs and the option to add automatic doors.The all-wheel drive variant carries over its previous battery, meaning it has a lower DC fast charge speed of 150kW allowing a 10 - 80 per cent charge in a less impressive 30 minutes.Both cars also score a 50kW boost to their electric motors with what is claimed to be best-in-class acceleration figures of 5.6 seconds for the rear-drive version, or 3.7 seconds for the all-wheel drive version.Zeekr will look to capitalise on its incoming product portfolio to boost its sales in Australia. Thus far the new 7X mid-sizer has more than doubled the brand’s footprint in our market, and the next new model could be the much-hyped 8X plug-in hybrid luxury large SUV which just launched in China.The brand has also earmarked the 7GT Euro-style wagon, possibly as soon as the end of this year, with the 9X flagship SUV due in 2027.As for the existing line-up, the 009 people mover will see the addition of its flagship variant in China, dubbed the 009 Grand, as a fully electric rival to the top-spec Lexus LM. It scores just four seats with a VIP-transport-style rear seat and huge entertainment screen mounted on a bulkhead between the front and rear seating positions.Stay tuned for more on Zeekr’s refreshed line-up later in the year, and for the international debut of the 8X at the Beijing Motor Show in late April.

Zeekr has revealed an updated version of its 7GT electric wagon over in China, and it is scheduled to land in Australia next year.The current model is only on sale in left-hand drive markets, including China, as well as Germany, the Netherlands and other European markets.The 7GT has already been shown off in Australia, but it remains down the line for the brand, with several models launching before its speculated 2027 arrival.It will be a rival to other popular family EVs including the Tesla Model Y and the BYD Sealion 7, looking to build on the early success of the 7X SUV.The big change on the updated 7GT is the addition of a 900-volt platform, up from 800-volt to give it even speedier charge times.Official charging and driving range figures have not been revealed yet.The current 800-volt platform is capable of charging from 10-80 per cent in around 10 minutes, so expect a bump on that figure.The previous model of the 7GT offered a driving range of more than 800km, according to the generally more lenient China Light-Vehicle testing cycle (CLTC).The 7GT comes in rear- and all-wheel drive variants, which have both received a boost to power.The single rear-mounted electric motor variant produces 370kW, while the dual electric motor adds a 215kW front-mounted unit.It can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in less than three seconds.It measures up at 4858mm long, 1900mm wide, 1445mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2925mm, making it generally bigger than the Model Y, but more similarly sized to the Sealion 7.The 7GT is expected to launch in China in the second quarter of this year, before heading Australia next year.Zeekr's 2026 Australia plans include an updated version of its X small SUV, and the introduction of the 009 people mover and 8X large premium SUV.

Will the current war in Iran mean a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles? My view is no, it won’t directly cause a ban on combustion cars. But the ban is still coming and the Middle East conflict will fastrack it. For starters a date has already been set for ban on petrol and diesel cars in the United Kingdom, where from 2030 sales of new vehicles with combustion engines will cease. The European Union has a 2035 ban but previous to the Iran war this was watered down.China, which in February was our main source of vehicles, is also focused on building and developing electric cars.As for Australia, only the ACT has set a goal of phasing out the sale of new combustion powered cars by 2035.That could all change now and by this I mean be fastracked.Until now the reasons for switching to electric vehicles were mainly ethical and environmental, with emissions and cleaner air being the carrot. The problem is nobody really  wants to eat a carrot, even if it’s good for us. But faced with the prospect of not eating at all because the weekly fuel bill for two cars is now $300 and the price of groceries is going up because of the soaring cost of transport, that really changes things.Interest in electric vehicles has never been this strong. We can see it in real time by the traffic coming to carsguide.com.au and we know our competitors are witnessing the sharpening of this focus on EVs, too.Towards the start of 2025 there had been a slow down in global interest in EVs and a renewed take up of hybrids. The price premiums attached to electric cars, the limited driving range and lengthy charging times were to blame, but all things early adopters, and even slightly later ones, were willing to endure. The rest of the car buyers were too put off by the downsides of EVs and stuck with the convenience and familiarity of petrol or perhaps bought a hybrid. But now the price of convenience appears to be reaching a point where suddenly an EV sounds like a good idea. At the time of writing 95 RON premium unleaded was $2.70 per litre. An increase of about $1 per litre or 60 per cent in the space of a month. The prohibitive cost now of petrol combined with the looming threat of Australia running out of it in less than three weeks, plus reports of servicing stations already running dry now make an electric car suddenly seem like not such a bad idea after all, even to the most hardcore fans of fossil fuels.The problem is bigger than just consumers not being able to afford petrol, it’s the soaring cost of goods, which are distributed through Australia’s enormous freight network that relies on diesel.The Australian government is responsible for setting such low minimum fuel reserves all in the name of a free market. The current situation could see it either mandate that the industry maintain a higher level or reduce the risk entirely of being held hostage like this again and ban petrol and diesel car sales in favour of electric ones, which can be powered by a fuel we can produce ourselves.The second option wouldn’t be the choice of the $6 trillion-a-year global oil and gas industry. And an industry that’s worth that much has enormous sway.But then the collapse of entire economies wouldn’t be the choice of most governments.Decoupling from oil and gas is impossible in less than 50 or even 100 years. Whether we like it or not the industry pervades every part of our lives. Killing the industry would also see the collapse of entire economies.Plenty of car companies are ready for electric vehicles, especially new Chinese brands, but for many vehicle manufacturers EVs are a side hustle.This scenario play into the hands of new electric brands such as Zeekr with the 7X mid-szied SUV, BYD with the Sealion 7 SUV and even the established Koreans such as Kia with the EV3 small SUV.Does it mean the end of diesel SUVs such as the LandCruiser? Possibly, unless Toyota has an electric version up its sleeve ready to be pulled out in the next 10 years.So what you'll probably see is the EU and UK setting new firm deadlines for the discontinuation of sales for new cars with combustion engines at about 2035 or sooner. Australia will likely follow suit.Industry, freight and agriculture will be exempt until hydrogen infrastructure is in place and that will take much longer.What we may see in the short term is a temporary ban on the use of petrol and diesel passenger cars in order to preserve fuel stock for industry, freight and vital services such as emergency vehicles. That’s a real possibility if the war moves into an uncontrolled phase.So while the permanent ban of new petrol and diesel cars won’t be directly caused by the Iran war, it will be a catalyst for the ban. In the meantime, it’s probably wise anyway to purchase an EV anyway and provide a bit of security and future proofing for your own household, not to mention saving thousands in fuel bills each year.

Zeekr has confirmed its future plans in Australia, outlining an expanded catalogue of hyped-up models, and updated versions of its current cars by 2027.The brand’s local Managing Director Frank Li said Zeekr would have several models coming this year and next year.Read on to see what they are.2026 Zeekr X faceliftThe Zeekr X, which the brand originally launched with in Australia in late 2024, will receive a major update.While the brand no doubt had big hopes for the small SUV as a more keenly priced and tech-heavy alternative to the Volvo EX30 it shares a platform, sales so far have been lacklustre. An update due this year will seek to make the model an even more attractive proposition, according to Mr Li.“We will have the Zeekr X facelift, which will come in the first half of this year. It will score some very good improvements when it comes to battery and interior features, as well as new colours,” he said.An update to the X already exists in China. While it looks identical from the outside, it features an overhauled interior, with a more practical and contemporary raised console design, as well as new seat and door trims. Interestingly the Chinese market model also features fold-up rear seats similar to Honda’s “Magic seat” set-up it uses in the HR-V to transform the second row into a second cargo space.Stay tuned for more details on which features might make it to the Australian market soon.2026 Zeekr 009 GrandThe X won’t be the only current model in the Zeekr line-up to receive an upgrade, with the 009 luxury electric people mover slated to receive a range-topping flagship variant.“In the second half of the year, we will be welcoming a very luxurious model, the 009 four-seater.”“In China this is called the 009 Grand and it will have even better features than the current car,” Li said.The 009 Grand takes aim at the likes of the Lexus LM as an ultra high-end people transporter. With only four seats, the 009 feautres a similar high-end set-up to the top-spec LM, with a giant entertainment screen bulkhead separating the front seats from the rear.It also scores gold badgework in its Chinese home market, with gigantic chrome-style wheels. Whether this fully electric model will undercut the hybrid LM Ultra Luxury’s $223,520 price-tag remains to be seen.2027 Zeekr 8XWhen queried on the topic of future models, Mr Li told CarsGuide: “Three models will be coming across next year, 7GT, 9X, and 8X, but we haven’t had final date for which one will come first, or in which month or what quarter.” he said.This is the big exciting news. While some were probably hoping for the much-hyped new hybrid and electric models to arrive sooner to bolster Zeekr’s range, the confirmation that they will be joining the right-hand drive arsenal alongside the 7X as global models is big.The just-launched-in-China 8X is perhaps the most hyped of the options. A new rival to the likes of the Range Rover Sport, Audi Q6, and Lexus RX, the 8X large SUV looks set to offer buyers a larger format of the same luxury and value on offer in the 7X, but this time with a plug-in hybrid twist.It’s no average plug-in hybrid either, combining a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine (205kW) paired with electric motors, producing a combined 660kW in dual-motor form, or 1080kW in top-spec tri-motor form, allowing a 0-100km/h sprint time in as low as 3.7 seconds. On top of that, it has the option of two EV-sized batteries, either 55.1kWh or 70kWh with a 900-volt architecture the brand says can charge from 10 - 80 per cent in just 9 minutes on a charger capable of outputting the right speed. Total EV range sits at 256km or 328km according to chinese specs depending on battery size, with combined range landing at 1416km to the same measuring standard.2027 Zeekr 9XThe 9X is also on Mr Li’s hit list for models aiming at our market. This flagship three-row SUV measures in at 5239mm and over two meters wide, making it a similar size to the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and full-size Range Rover.It offers much of the same style as the 8X, but with a larger, boxier, and more chrome-embossed overall design.It is offered only in an ultra-luxurious six-seat layout for the Chinese market, with the second row ‘captain’s chairs’ able to fully recline and even fully rotate to face the rear seats.It also shares its peak powertrain with the 8X, offering a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid system with a peak output of 1030kW, mated to a 70kWh battery with a 9 minute charging time and 1250km of combined driving range.Even the most affordable version of the 9X in China costs the equivalent of A$100,000, giving this monster SUV a real shot of being the most expensive Chinese car on sale in Australia when it arrives in 2027.2027 Zeekr 7GTThe Zeekr 7GT has already been shown in Australia (albeit in left-hand drive form) at several EV shows around the country as the brand’s potential next model, although Li’s comments suggest it may now arrive after either the 8X or 9X depending on what HQ back in China decides.Regardless, the 7GT is an unusual and exciting proposition by a Chinese automaker, offering a Euro-styled go-fast wagon in pure electric form.Offering an 800-volt battery, up to 825km of driving range (according to the lenient CTLC cycle on the biggest 100kWh battery pack), and a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 2.95 seconds, the 7GT looks to give some of the European performance metal in our market a run for their money.Like other Zeekr models, expect luxury trims on the inside, swish software and cabin tech, and either a rear-drive 310kW variant, or a 475kW AWD variant.Other performance enhancements include an air suspension system and adaptive damping.Interestingly, the brand has had less to say on the 7GT’s sedan variant (dubbed the 007 in its Chinese home market), making the potentially wagon-only line-up a bit of a statement in the Australian market.

This Chinese brand is doing something special for Australians.Hot on the heels of the launch of the special edition Zeekr 7X Black Edition, the local arm's Managing Director Frank Li said constant communication with its buyers would allow even more “co-creation” specialised for the Australian market.“Zeekr is a brand which is moving very fast, usually the facelift comes within one or two years, and the very strong research and development team and design team give us the capability to move with that kind of speed,” said Li.“The key point is co-creating with our customers. We’re not only trying to sell products here, but we’re trying to build a community. We’re trying to get more engaged and listen to customer demand and suggestions, and we take that on board for the product."Zeekr said when launching the new 7X Black Edition, that the new variant was based expressly on customer feedback that there should be a blacked-out version of the car, which was previously missing.But Mr Li said the constant “co-creating” with its buyers was happening more frequently behind the scenes and reached beyond just new variants.“For software, we’re doing over-the-air updates based on customer feedback, and on the hardware front, we’re trying to push for even more features .”One thing that wasn’t a problem in customer feedback, Li says, was anything to do with range or power.“With powertrain, battery and electrification, our customers are actually quite satisfied” he said.Li added that the 800-volt platform used by the 7X was already enough to “have the highest charging capability” on Australia’s fast-charging network. Li revealed what Aussie fans are screaming out for.“The biggest feedback is on software, features like auto-parking, these are the kinds of capabilities we will be improving in the future,” he said."Customers want more choice. Some don’t get a lot of use out of the auto door feature, but they want all-wheel drive, so they’re asking for the ability to separate those two features out, so this is one example of something we have under discussion.”The 7X is also notable for having an animated LED light bar in its Chinese home market, which adds a degree of character to its design missing from Australian-delivered vehicles.Because of more strict Australian Design Rules (ADRs) around frontal lighting features, the animated bar is replaced by a gloss panel on locally-delivered versions.Li said while the brand was always in discussions on these types of limitations, it seemed the regulations would still stop some popular features from its Chinese home market.“If we could bring these features to the Australian market, we would love to do so,” he said.Many other Chinese brands also have an element of rapid turn-around, which allows them to bring updates, facelifts, or even deeper upgrades to Australia in usually never-before-seen timeframes.While this generally means a much more competitive new car landscape, it can also sometimes mean rapid depreciation for early adopters. On the flip side, these early adopters can also be rewarded with significant software fixes while getting in at a lower initial price-point.As often a global launch-pad for Chinese brands though, feedback from the Australian market is taken very seriously by even the biggest players, such as BYD, Chery and GWM.The 7X has been a resounding success for the Chinese premium brand.The new EV has more than doubled its sales after only a handful of months since launch, and now accounts for the lion’s share of the brand’s volume Down Under. With 1046 units delivered in the first two months of this year, it has also rapidly shot to near the top of the category for similarly-sized SUV rivals, or similarly-priced EVs.This comes as no surprise to Mr Li though, who said the product will speak for itself.“Zeekr brings customers an option where they don’t need to compromise between tech, luxury, drive experience, and the cost,” he said.“Before 7X came along these four elements have been in conflict. It’s very hard to get them all, so usually you have to compromise.“So, we have very strong ambitions and forecasts for 7X, but the product and time will tell.”

Despite a slow start in Australia in 2025, Chinese luxury brand Zeekr says it is unsurprised by the success of its third product, the 7X mid-size electric SUV.The 7X launched in Australia in late 2025 to some fanfare, more than doubling the brand’s yearly sales tally in just a few months, and in 2026 it now accounts for more than 60 per cent of its volume.When asked about the 7X's relative runaway success had come as a surprise to the local division, Zeekr Australia’s managing director Frank Li told CarsGuide success was the brand’s “assumption”.“The 7X is not just popular in Australia, but also it is the first Zeekr global model, so we’ve had very good achievements in both the domestic and international markets including Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia,” said Li.Li also noted the 7X was particularly suited to the Australian buyer, suggesting that as a reason that it was more popular than the rest of the brand’s line-up, and also why it is getting the just-announced Black Edition pack especially for our market.“ is perfect for the Australian customer archetype so that’s also why we’re bringing the Black Edition based on customer feedback,” he said.Mr Li added the order bank for 7X was significant, and deliveries will remain high, at least for the first half of 2026 as the order books are filled.“Initially we were facing some challenges on supply last year, especially in December from the global battery shortage, but this has been resolved. There are several thousand 7Xs currently on a ship right now, so supply isn’t an issue at the moment,” he said."Last month we delivered 628 7Xs, which is good momentum, and next month the delivery number will be higher.“We’re still a new brand so we’re focused on how to deliver as much as we can as fast as we can so we can get our pre-order customers into the car earlier.“So that’s our first priority. We’re also working on a better customer experience which includes sales delivery and after sales.” he said, hinting at a wider showroom footprint and more service locations."Are there storm clouds on the horizon for Zeekr as it fills the initial surge of demand for 7X? Mr Li was quite candid.“Honestly, we’re not pushing too hard on new orders,” he said, adding that Zeekr’s strategy would be bolstered by both customer satisfaction and rising fuel prices.“First of all, for EVs, the market penetration has been climbing up and petrol prices are now climbing higher. I think Zeekr brings customers an option where they don’t need to compromise between tech, luxury, drive experience, and the cost.”“Before 7X came along these four elements have been in conflict. It’s very hard to get them all, so usually you have to compromise.”“So, we have very strong ambitions and forecasts for 7X, but the product and time will tell,” he said.Zeekr’s numbers are on the rise in 2026, with the brand delivering 1046 units in the first two months of the year.This puts the electric mid-sizer ahead of some heavy-hitting luxury segment contemporaries including the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and the Lexus NX, whilst also staying well ahead of some electric price competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Toyota bZ4X, and Kia EV6.Zeekr will  build on its momentum later in 2026, with Mr Li adding there will be updates for its Zeekr X small SUV and a new variant for the 009, while also confirming the just-revealed 8X is very much on the cards for Australia in the future, although maybe not until 2027.

Zeekr will follow-up its popular 7X electric SUV with the just-revealed 8X large plug-in hybrid SUV.The 8X was just detailed in China ahead of its domestic launch, and speaking to CarsGuide, Zeekr Australia’s Managing Director Frank Li confirmed it would come to Australia next year.“We’ll have the 8X official launch event in April in China,” he said. “Three models will come across next year, 7GT, 9X and 8X, but we haven’t had the final date for which one will come first, or in which month or what quarter.The 8X will sit above the CarsGuide Car of the Year award-winning 7X mid-size electric SUV, but below the brand’s flagship 9X three-row large SUV. At over five-meters long it is still in the large SUV category despite being a five-seater, which puts it up against the Range Rover Sport, Audi Q8 and Lexus RX.It is closer in design and styling to the 9X and the 009 people mover, featuring a chrome grille and big alloy wheels, although has softer edges than the more boxy flagship 9X.The 8X will use a 205kW 2.0-litre petrol turbo plug-in hybrid set-up producing 660kW in dual-motor AWD form, or even up to 1030kW in tri-motor Performance form, which is plotted to have a 0-100km/h sprint time in the realm of 2.0 seconds, according to regulatory filings with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.It is equipped with either a 55.1kWh or a 70kWh battery offering a purely electric range of either 256km or 328km, and sports an 800-volt electrical system to allow for ultra-fast charging.On the performance front, the car will feature active anti-rollbars, dual-chamber air suspension, and adaptive damping, along with what appears from pre-release images to be a sport-oriented Michelin tyre package.The just-revealed-in-China interior also shows the 8X will carry across many of its interior features from the 9X as well, including two huge dash-spanning multimedia screens, a separate digital instrument cluster, and even a rear entertainment touchscreen for the second row.Elsewhere, the large luxury SUV features plaid interior leather, reclining outboard rear seats and at least the option of a roof-mounted screen and a panoramic sunroof.Zeekr will be looking to capitalise on momentum from its successful 7X launch, after a slow launch in Australia with the X small SUV and niche 009 electric luxury people mover.Despite only being on sale for a few months, the 7X managed to account for over 60 per cent of the Chinese luxury brand’s sales in 2025, a streak which is more than continuing in 2026. The brand also recently added the Black Edition specified based on "customer feedback" specifically for the Australian market.Expect to learn more about Zeekr’s roll-out plan for the remainder of 2026 and its new models plotted for 2027 and beyond shortly, as the company gears up for the Beijing Motor Show in April.