Peter Lyon
February 23, 2025
When Geely Auto Group unveiled its Smart Geely 2025 mid-term plan in November 2019, Malaysia was listed with Australia and New Zealand as potential locations for Lynk & Co.’s international expansion.
Plans change. According to an AutoLife Thailand interview with Alex Bao Zhuangfei, Head of Southeast Asia for Zeekr, that is no longer the case.
Bao told the Thai daily that while Geely is working on future right-hand drive vehicles, the company does not currently have any plans to make right-hand drive versions of its current models. The Zeekr brand will be used to sell these future models rather than Lynk & Co.
For the record, Zeekr is a high-end, electric-only company that was founded in 2021. But the market for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has not expanded as quickly as Geely had anticipated. As a result, the company is combining the electric-only Zeekr brand with the plug-in hybrid-heavy Lynk & Co brand, a sentiment being echoed in many brands around the world.
EVs make up almost 50% of market but strangely include PHEVs
According to China’s vehicle registration data, electric cars make up a relatively high percentage of all passenger cars sold—nearly 50%. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), which are both combustion engine hybrids but are categorised as electric vehicles in China, are included in this number.
BEVs accounted for about 25% of all plug-in charging-capable vehicles in 2024, which is still a very high percentage. However, this percentage hasn’t moved much over the years and needs to be supported by hefty subsidies of up to 20,000 Yuan. In an effort to boost consumer spending, the subsidy, which was initially scheduled to cease in 2024, has been extended through 2025.
Meanwhile, PHEV and EREV growth in China is much stronger than BEV growth, at 68.8% vs 19.8% by December 2024. This explains Geely’s choice to combine Zeekr and Lynk & Co.
The first RHD Zeekr hybrid model will be built on the 08, according to AutoLife.
The Volvo XC40 and the D-segment 08 are both built on an extended version of the CMA platform. The model, which has a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and batteries with capacities ranging from 21 kWh to 39.6 kWh, is offered as a plug-in hybrid in China. According to the CLC test cycle, this configuration offers a driving range of 120 to 220 km on electricity alone.
Sentinel Automotive, a sibling company of Lotus Karz, the distributor of Lotus Cars, distributes Zeekr in Malaysia. While the Zeekr 009 starts at RM 350,500, the Zeekr X starts at RM 156,500. Prices include exclusive insurance and on-the-road costs.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
To be honest, for many years I was very critical of cars coming out of China as I was not impressed with their second-class copycat designs. But now, many of the vehicles, especially the SUVs and crossovers exiting Chinese factories could easily stand with rivals from Japan and Korea and not feel ashamed. The sharp-looking 08 is one of those SUVs. Fitted with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and an electric motor, this plug-in hybrid-powered 08 we see here delivers over 120 km in electric-only range and its price is competitive.
