Chinese automaker ZEEKR has started production of 009 MPV, as reported by Electric. With that, the deliveries of the all-electric, multi-purpose vehicle are expected to follow soon.
(Photo : HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
A Zeekr stand with cars is seen during the 19th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai on April 20, 2021.
Young EV Maker
ZEEKR is a sub-brand of Geely and a young luxury EV automotive brand. The company is a high-end marque to compete in China against other EV automakers, such as Tesla and NIO.
It can be recalled that the company's flagship EV is the ZEEKR 001, which started deliveries over a year ago. They also shared their plans to expand to new markets in North America and Europe.
The 009 MPV
The company started teasing the 009 MPV last summer, and by August 2022, they gave the first full look of the MPV. It showed that it has CATL energy-dense Qilin batteries, which contribute to the 822 km range.
Now, they rolled off their assembly line in Ningbo, Zhejiang province of China. Deliveries will come after. In November 2022, ZEEKR 009 launched sales and offered two versions of the MPV-the WE and ME.
Zeekr 009 comes standard equipped with a dual motor powertrain with a 400 kW peak power. It is also outfitted with ternary lithium batteries. However, the size of the packs varies alongside starting MSRP.
On the other hand, the higher-end model comes with a 140 kWh pack with Qilin technology that can deliver 822 km or range on a single charge and starts at $86,822.
Even with the lower-end trim, the WE 009 is the first MPV in China to eclipse the 700 km CLTC range.
In December 2022, ZEEKR announced that it had surpassed its output goal of 70,000 units for 2022. This is followed by their targeted plans for 140,000 annual units from 2023 onwards. However, there are no details yet on whether a third model is on its way.
Also Read: Geely's New EV Battery Auto Swap Stations Arrive! Lifting Heavy Electric Cars No Longer Needed
The Rise of Electric MPVs
The rise of electric MPVs is a clear indication that several automakers are creating a niche in the automotive industry. As technology advances and the demand for clean, convenient, and comfortable transportation increases all over the world, the growing interest in electric MPVs is inevitable.
ZEEKR is just a young Chinese EV brand, but it is already showing some interesting moves in the race for the future of electric cars. The rollout of the ZEEKR 009 is a clear indication that the company is serious about its plans to dominate the market of electric MPVs.
Meanwhile, other established players in the EV industry are also setting their eyes on the booming trade.
With the transformation of transportation on the whole, more people are opting for electric cars due to their convenience and ease of operation. Electric cars are not just for transport anymore. In fact, more automakers are coming up with unique designs for their electric vehicles, which are not just for transportation but for leisure and sports as well.
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