Feb 19 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle brand Zeekr will enter the Italian market starting from Thursday, the company said in a press release, the latest in a string of announced European launches.
Zeekr, fully-owned by heavyweight Geely Holding Group (0175.HK) , will start deliveries of its four EV line-up and open retail locations in the spring, it said in the note together with its distributing partner Jameel Motors.
Calling Italy a “key market” in the brand’s European expansion, acting CEO of Zeekr Europe Lothar Schupet said the timing coincides with rapidly growing demand for premium EVs and continued investment in charging infrastructure.
<h3>CHINA MAKES STRIDES</h3>
The brand, whose cars sell from around 38,000 euros to 73,000 euros ($44,680 - $85,833) depending on the model and the premiums, began selling cars in Germany in December and is present in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands, among other countries.
It plans to expand into more European markets in 2026, including France, Britain and Spain, Schupet told Reuters in January.
Geely, the closest Chinese rival to BYD, said in January that it targets global sales of over 6.5 million vehicles by 2030, aiming to rank among the world’s top five automakers in an intensifying competition with established global rivals.
Chinese car makers have gained much ground in Europe, capitalising on lower price points compared to European rivals and helped by state subsidies in the continent as part of a push towards decarbonisation. ($1 = 0.8505 euros)

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Chinese electric vehicle brand Zeekr, owned by Geely Holding Group, is entering the Italian market on February 19, marking its latest European launch. The company plans to deliver its four EV models and open retail locations in spring, viewing Italy as a key market due to rising demand for premium EVs. Zeekr, which has already launched in Germany and other European countries, aims to expand further by 2026. Geely targets global sales of over 6.5 million vehicles by 2030, competing with established automakers in Europe.

- Chinese electric vehicle brand Zeekr will launch in Italy on Thursday as part of its European expansion.  
- Zeekr, owned by Geely Holding Group, will start deliveries of its EV lineup and open retail locations in spring, highlighting Italy as a key market.  
- The company aims to enter more European markets in 2026 and targets global sales of over 6.5 million vehicles by 2030, competing against established automakers.

China's Zeekr premium brand enters Italian car market