Zeekr, Geely’s premium EV brand, has officially begun exporting its flagship 9X plug-in hybrid SUV to overseas markets starting in June 2026, with the Middle East as the first destination. The global rollout will proceed through Central Asia in Q3 and Europe in Q4, according to Geely Auto Group CEO Gan Jiayue. The move makes the 9X — a 1,030 kW three-motor PHEV with 1,250 km of combined range — Zeekr’s most ambitious international product to date.
Background
Zeekr launched the 9X in China in September 2025 as its first plug-in hybrid model, built on Geely’s SEA architecture. The vehicle has accumulated over 50,000 deliveries through April 2026, including 22,000 units in Q1 2026 alone, with an average transaction price of approximately 530,000 RMB (about $73,600), per CarNewsChina. The 9X’s domestic success — it competes in the large SUV segment above 500,000 RMB (about $69,500) — gave Zeekr the confidence to push it into global markets where Chinese premium brands are still establishing credibility.
The export strategy was announced by Geely Auto Group CEO Gan Jiayue at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026, as CarNewsChina reported. The phased rollout reflects the reality that regulatory approval, dealer network setup, and service infrastructure take different amounts of time in different regions.
Key Numbers and Details
| Specification | Zeekr 9X |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 3-motor PHEV + turbocharged engine |
| Total power | 1,030 kW (1,381 hp) |
| CLTC combined range | ~1,250 km |
| China starting price | 500,000+ RMB (~$69,500+) |
| Average transaction price | ~530,000 RMB (~$73,600) |
| Cumulative deliveries (thru Apr 2026) | 50,000+ |
| Q1 2026 deliveries | 22,000 |
The phased rollout plan:
| Phase | Market | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Middle East | June 2026 |
| Phase 2 | Central Asia | Q3 2026 |
| Phase 3 | Europe | Q4 2026 |
| Phase 4 | Australia | Late 2026 / Early 2027 |
The high-performance Zeekr 8X will follow the 9X into overseas markets starting in Q4 2026, targeting the performance segment with a 1,381-hp three-motor hybrid system and a 0-100 km/h time of 2.96 seconds. The 8X is priced from 326,800 RMB (about $45,400) in China with limited-time promotional pricing.
Industry Impact
Zeekr’s export of the 9X represents a significant escalation in Chinese automakers’ overseas push. While brands like BYD and MG have focused on volume segments, Zeekr is deliberately targeting the premium space occupied by BMW X7, Mercedes GLS, and Range Rover — vehicles that typically cost $90,000–$120,000 in Middle Eastern markets. If Zeekr can offer comparable luxury and technology at a meaningful discount, the 9X could become the first Chinese PHEV to gain real traction in Gulf states.
Geely’s overall 2026 overseas sales target is 640,000 units across all brands. Zeekr’s contribution is modest in volume terms but outsized in brand perception — a successful 9X launch in the Middle East would validate Chinese premium vehicles in one of the world’s most status-conscious automotive markets, as Chinese vehicles gain ground globally.
The European entry in Q4 is more consequential but also more challenging. EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs remain in effect, and the 9X’s PHEV architecture may face different regulatory treatment than pure EVs. Zeekr will also need to build a dealer and service network from scratch in most European markets, as BYD builds its own European charging infrastructure.
What’s Next
First customer deliveries in the Middle East are expected in July–August 2026. Zeekr has not yet announced pricing for export markets, but the 9X is likely to be positioned below comparable European luxury SUVs while offering superior technology specifications. The European launch in Q4 will be the true litmus test — success there would signal that Chinese premium PHEVs can compete head-to-head with established luxury brands on their home turf.
