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☆ Chinese EV maker Zeekr says its new battery can charge faster than that of a Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING — Chinese electric car brand Zeekr announced new batteries on Tuesday, which it says boast the fastest charge in the world. Zeekr said that the new battery could achieve the same charge performance even in negative 10 degree Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) weather in about 30 minutes. Comparatively, Elon Musk's Tesla says its supercharger allow the company's vehicles to charge up to 200 miles in 15 minutes. Chinese automaker Nio has also offered the alternative of a three-minute battery swap. The subscription service automatically changes out the battery of designated car models with a charged one at specific swap stations.

Persons: Zeekr, Elon Musk's Tesla, Nio Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Technology Holding Locations: BEIJING, U.S

☆ Chinese EV startups are spending more on research than Tesla is
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

CNBC | Evelyn ChengBEIJING – U.S.-listed Chinese electric car companies are spending more on research as a ratio to sales than Tesla , according to CNBC analysis of the four automakers' first-quarter earnings. Of the four U.S.-listed Chinese electric car companies, Nio ranked first, spending nearly 29% of revenue in the first three months of the year on research and development. He was referring to a popular term in China to describe fierce competition, especially in the electric car industry. She noted that can help Chinese electric car companies respond more quickly to customers and market needs than traditional automakers. Geely has also released an electric car architecture called SEA that it says allows for quicker production of different sized vehicles.

Persons: Evelyn Cheng, Paul Gong, Nio, Elon, Feng Shen, Shen, William Li, Li, Jing Yang, Zeekr's, Parent, Ren Xiangfei, Ren, Geely, Tesla, Taylor Ogan Organizations: CNBC, UBS, Elon Musk's, Ford Motor, China's Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, Fitch, China Passenger Car Association, Snow Bull, Tech Locations: Hefei, Evelyn Cheng BEIJING – U.S, U.S, China, Nio, Hefei city, Anhui, Shanghai, Asia, Pacific, Zhejiang province, Hong Kong, Shenzhen

☆ Chinese EV maker Zeekr prices IPO at $21, at the top end of range, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Zeekr 001 electric vehicle (EV) by Geely is seen displayed at the Zeekr booth during a media day for the Auto Shanghai show in Shanghai, China April 19, 2021. Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr priced its initial public offering at $21 a share Thursday, at the top end of its range, according to news reports. Zeekr, which is backed by Chinese-based automotive group Geely, offers several luxury vehicle models, including an upscale sedan it began delivering in January. "Our sales gap with Tesla keeps on narrowing," Zeekr CEO Andy An told CNBC in an interview last month translated from Mandarin. Zeekr has said it plans to use the proceeds from the offering to develop more advanced battery electric vehicle technologies.

Persons: Geely, Tesla, Andy, Zeekr, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch Organizations: Auto Shanghai, New York Stock Exchange, Reuters, Bloomberg News, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Tesla, CNBC, Underwriters, China International Capital Locations: Shanghai, China, Zhejiang, Europe, Latin America, Sweden, Netherlands

☆ Geely-backed luxury EV brand Zeekr says it's already beating Tesla in parts of China
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Pictured here is the Zeekr 001 electric car at a services trade fair in Beijing on Aug. 31, 2023. China News Service | China News Service | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Chinese electric car brand Zeekr is selling more vehicles than Tesla in parts of China, and plans to expand in Europe and Latin America this year, Zeekr CEO Andy An told CNBC on Wednesday. For the first three weeks of April, Zeekr sold 500 more cars than Tesla in the province of Zhejiang, where Zeekr and its parent company Geely are based. Zeekr also slightly outsold Tesla in the province of Anhui, near Shanghai, and Guangxi, an autonomous region in southern China. The rapid rise of Chinese electric car companies, however, has also prompted the EU and U.S. to consider measures for protecting their own auto industries.

Persons: Andy, Elon, Tesla, Zeekr Organizations: China News Service, Getty, CNBC, EU Locations: Beijing, BEIJING, China, Europe, Latin America, Zhejiang, Anhui, Shanghai, Guangxi, Sweden, Netherlands, America, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore

The German auto giant isn't alone in its struggles, according to CNBC's analysis of 10 global car brands. While Volkswagen remains by far a giant in China's car market with around 3 million vehicles sold a year, the German brand hasn't gained much traction in the electric car space. In July, the company opted to invest about $700 million into Chinese electric car start-up Xpeng to jointly develop two cars for China. Toyota , which has struggled in the market transition to electric cars, is set for its worst year of overall China sales since 2020 with about 1.8 million vehicle sales, CNBC found. Tough competitionAlthough China's new energy market is growing quickly, competition is fierce, even for domestic brands.

Persons: Evelyn Cheng, Alvin Liu, Liu, Bernstein, BYD, Tesla, Nio Organizations: CNBC, Volkswagen, Nissan, Hyundai, China Passenger Car Association, Toyota, Canalys, Honda, BYD, Tesla's, Plaid — Locations: Europe, China, North America, Evelyn Cheng BEIJING, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, German

☆ China EV maker Zeekr to start investor tour ahead of $1 billion U.S. IPO
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Zeekr 001 electric vehicle (EV) by Geely is seen displayed at the Zeekr booth during a media day for the Auto Shanghai show in Shanghai, China April 19, 2021. Geely in December said Zeekr had confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, without detailing the size or listing date. If successful, a $1 billion IPO would be the largest U.S. listing by a Chinese firm for over two years since ride-hailing giant Didi raised $4.4 billion in mid-2021. Geely, formally Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, established Zeekr in April 2021 to tap into increasing Chinese demand for high-end EVs. ($1 = 7.2883 Chinese yuan renminbi)

Persons: Geely, Zeekr, Didi, Andy Organizations: Auto Shanghai, U.S, Zhejiang Geely Holding Locations: Shanghai, China, Zeekr, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Singapore, London , New York, Boston , California, U.S, Zhejiang, Netherlands, Sweden, Israel, Kazakhstan

A man walks past a sign of Geely's new premium electric vehicle (EV) brand Zeekr at its factory in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China April 15, 2021. Geely in December said Zeekr had confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO, without detailing size or listing date. If successful, a $1 billion IPO would be the largest U.S. listing by a Chinese firm for over two years since ride-hailing giant Didi raised $4.4 billion in mid 2021. Geely, formally Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (GEELY.UL), established Zeekr in April 2021 to tap into increasing Chinese demand for high-end EVs. ($1 = 7.2883 Chinese yuan renminbi)Reporting by Julie Zhu in Hong Kong and Scott Murdoch in Sydney; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: HONG KONG, Geely, Zeekr, Didi, Andy, Julie Zhu, Scott Murdoch, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Yilei, U.S, Zhejiang Geely Holding, Thomson Locations: Ningbo, Zhejiang province, China, HONG, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Singapore, London , New York, Boston , California, U.S, Zhejiang, Netherlands, Sweden, Israel, Kazakhstan, Sydney

Western automakers are rattled, with Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Peugeot-to-Fiat carmaker Stellantis (STLAM.MI), warning last month of an "invasion" of cheap Chinese EVs in Europe. But Chinese brands are likely to struggle to sell cars in Europe as cheaply as at home. CONSUMER TRUSTWhile some Chinese brands, such as MG, are well known in Europe, others like XPeng (9868.HK) and Nio need to build trust. Surveys indicate most potential EV buyers in Europe do not recognise Chinese brands. But among those aware of Chinese brands, 1% or fewer would consider buying one.

Persons: Annegret, Carlos Tavares, Chen Shihua, ” Shihua, Spiros Fotinos, Alexander Klose, BYD, Geely’s Lynk, Tesla, Aiways, Zeekr's Fotinos, ” Fotinos, Klose, Victoria Waldersee, Zhang Yan, Gilles Gillaume, Giulio Piovaccari, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, HK, Allianz . Western, Peugeot, Fiat, EV, New Energy Vehicle, Jato Dynamics, Logistics, Geely, South Korean, YouGov, GAC, Victoria, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe, BERLIN, China, Beijing, Munich, Milan

LONDON, June 28 (Reuters) - Zeekr, Geely Automobile's (0175.HK) electric brand, said on Wednesday that two of its all-electric luxury cars are available for pre-order in the Netherlands and Sweden, joining a growing number of Chinese EV makers launching vehicles in Europe. Deliveries for the Zeekr 001 estate and the Zeekr X SUV are set to begin in the autumn, the company said. Pricing for the Zeekr 01 starts at 59,490 euros ($65,076) including taxes, while the Zeekr X starts 44,990 euros. "Our plan is that through 2026 we will cover the majority of western Europe," he told Reuters. Other Chinese EV makers including BYD, Xpeng and Aiways have all launched sales in Europe, seeking to gain market share while many consumers are still new to EVs.

Persons: Geely Automobile's, Spiros Fotinos, Europe's, Fotinos, Nick Carey, Johan Ahlander, Sameer Manekar, Janane Venkatraman, David Evans Organizations: HK, EV, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, Sweden, Europe, Gothenburg, Spiros, Denmark, Germany, France, Norway, China, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Bengaluru

☆ Geely's EV brand Zeekr jumps on the 'gigapress' bandwagon
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Norihiko Shirouzu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoApril 27 (Reuters) - Geely's EV brand Zeekr is the latest to join a growing list of automakers that have turned to the "gigapress" die casting technique pioneered by Tesla to slash the cost of electric cars. "In the future, Zeekr will use giga-casting technology on more models," Jiang said. Metal and plastic die casting has long been used in manufacturing, but its application to large aluminium underbodies in carmaking is relatively new. The front and rear sections are then connected with large under-floor battery packs to form a three-piece EV chassis. 'MEGA-CASTING'Other automakers turning to large die casting include General Motors (GM.N), which is using the technology to help design its Cadillac Celestiq electric saloon.

☆ China's Zeekr hires ex-Lexus brand veteran to helm Europe operations -memo
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, April 14 (Reuters) - China's Zeekr has hired a former Lexus executive to helm its operations in Europe, according to a memo seen by Reuters, as the electric vehicle (EV) maker plans to sell into the region later this year. Spiros Fotinos, who spent 24 years with Toyota (7203.T) and led the brand management of Lexus globally, joined Zeekr in September as the chief executive officer of Zeekr Europe to oversee the brand's operation in the region, the memo showed. The Geely-owned (GEELY.UL) (0175.HK) brand said on Wednesday it planned to offer the SUV-styled Zeekr X and its Zeekr 001 EV sedan in western Europe. Zeekr previously said it would start delivering in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year. It aims to sell 140,000 Zeekr cars this year, doubling the figure in 2022, An added.

☆ China's Zeekr launches electric SUV, targets Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Zoey ZhangCHENGDU, China, April 12 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr on Wednesday launched a compact, all-electric sport utility vehicle, as it targeted a premium market in China that has been dominated by German automakers. The Geely-owned [RIC:RIC:GEELY.UL] brand said it also planned to offer the SUV-styled Zeekr X and its Zeekr 001 EV sedan in Western Europe without saying when that would be. The company will start delivering the Zeekr X in China from June with a target of delivering 40,000 this year, An said. After Europe, Zeekr will target Asian markets outside China, An said without providing details. It sold 15,234 of its two existing models - the 001 sedan and the 009 multi-purpose vehicle - in the first quarter, accounting for just 2% of China's battery electric vehicle sales.

☆ Geely's EV brand Zeekr raises $750 million in fresh funding round
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Zeekr, the electric car brand of China's Geely Automobile Holdings (0175.HK), is raising $750 million from five new and existing investors in a funding round that values the brand at $13 billion. Zeekr, which sells two purely electric car models, said in a statement on Monday that proceeds from the funding round will be used to support technology research and the global expansion of the Zeekr brand. The investors include Amnon Shashua, CEO and founder of autonomous driving technology company Mobileye Global (MBLY.O) - majority owned by Intel Corp (INTC.O) - and the Guangzhou city municipal government’s investment arm Yuexiu Industrial Fund, both new investors in the company. Supporters of the funding round also include Chinese battery maker CATL (300750.SZ), already among Zeekr's backers. Reporting by Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Geely's Zeekr plans electric vehicle sales in Europe in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Zeekr 001 electric vehicle (EV) by Geely is seen displayed at the Zeekr booth during a media day for the Auto Shanghai show in Shanghai, China April 19, 2021. REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoSHANGHAI, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Zhejiang Geely Holding Group's (GEELY.UL) premium electric car business plans to sell the first electric vehicle produced under the Zeekr brand in Europe next year, Zeekr's CEO said. Zeekr joins a growing list of Chinese automakers looking to launch or expand sales of electric vehicles in Europe next year, including BYD (002594.SZ), Xpeng (9868.HK) and Great Wall Motors (601633.SS). An said Geely would market its 001 electric crossover in Europe next year. The base model Zeekr 001 sells for the equivalent of $41,000 in China compared with $40,000 for the Tesla (TSLA.O) Model Y after a recent price cut.

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