Codenamed CX1e, the model will be Zeekr’s first family SUV, and will be Zeekr’s second after the Zeekr 007 to target the mainstream EV market.
Zeekr (NYSE: ZK) has begun previewing its new SUV (sport utility vehicle), internally codenamed CX1e, which is expected to go on sale in the second half of the year.
The electric vehicle (EV) maker’s vice president Lin Jinwen today shared five camouflaged images of the model on Weibo, marking the first time Zeekr has previewed the mid-to-large-size SUV.
The CX1e will be Zeekr’s first family SUV, Lin wrote on Weibo.
“The official naming of the CX1e is also on the picture camouflage liveries, guess what it is?” Lin wrote.
Zeekr’s current models on sale include the Zeekr 001, Zeekr 007, Zeekr 009, and Zeekr X.
Founded in 2021, Zeekr launched its first model, the Zeekr 001, on April 15 of the same year, a shooting brake style model aimed at a niche market.
The Zeekr 009, launched on November 1, 2022, is an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle), and the Zeekr X, launched on April 12, 2023, is a compact SUV, both of which are also aimed at niche markets.
The Zeekr 007 electric sedan, which went on sale on December 27, 2023, is Zeekr’s first model aimed at the mainstream EV market.
The CX1e is expected to be another strong player targeting the family market.
Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) is the first of China’s local carmakers to explicitly announce that it is targeting the family market, with Nio’s (NYSE: NIO) Onvo sub-brand emphasizing a similar positioning.
“We think Zeekr has a very strong product portfolio to sustain the growth momentum,” Zeekr management said in a June 11 earnings call.
Zeekr believes the launch of new mid-to-large-size SUVs later this year will help sales and gross margins, its management said.
