ZEEKR Set to Enter Japanese EV Market in 2025 Amid its Expansion Plans

ZEEKR has announced plans to enter the Japanese electric vehicle (EV) market in 2025, marking progress in the company’s global expansion strategy following its recent entries into European and North American markets.

ZEEKR will begin establishing its presence in Japan later this year according to a company spokesperson, with plans to construct showrooms in three major areas: the Tokyo metropolitan area, the Kansai metropolitan area, and along the Tokai Line. These showrooms are scheduled to be built in Q4 2024, setting the stage for EV sales and deliveries to start in 2025.

Chen Yu, a ZEEKR vice president, told Nikkei Asia that the company is currently working to comply with Japanese safety standards. The automaker is expected to introduce right-hand drive (RHD) versions of its EVs to the Japanese market, similar to those already launched in other RHD markets including Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

As of now, ZEEKR has not yet confirmed which specific models will be offered in Japan. Although the ZEEKR X SUV and the ZEEKR 009 multipurpose vehicle are likely candidates. In China, the X model starts at around $27,900 and the 009 at around $61,000.

Following BYD’s Footsteps

ZEEKR’s entry into Japan follows BYD, which entered the Japanese passenger car market in 2023. BYD has now recently taken 3% of market share in Japan’s EV market as of the first half of 2024.

Read More: BYD Takes Nearly 3% Market Share In Japanese EV Market In First Half of 2024

The expansion into Japan is part of ZEEKR’s broader international growth strategy. As of July 2024, the company had established a presence in over 30 international markets and aims to reach 50 unique territories by the end of the year. 

As competition in the global EV market intensifies, ZEEKR’s entry into Japan underscores the increasing presence of Chinese automakers on the international stage and the evolving landscape of the automotive landscape.

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