Zeekr starts South Korean deliveries of 7X electric SUV, SK On gets first car
In short
Zeekr Korea began delivering its mid-size 7X electric SUV to customers in South Korea and handed the first car to battery maker SK On at a ceremony on 21 October. The car is the top Ultra trim, and the three trims are priced from 52.99 million to 69.99 million won. SK On said the purchase is unrelated to any new battery supply contract.
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Zeekr Korea has begun delivering the mid-size electric SUV 7X to customers in South Korea and handed the first car to SK On, the company said on 22 October. The ceremony took place on 21 October at the Zeekr flagship store in Gangnam, Seoul, with officials from both companies attending. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
The car delivered to SK On is the top Ultra trim. According to Yonhap and Newsis, a 100kWh NCM battery powers two electric motors on the front and rear axles, rated at 645 ps and 72.4 kg·m of torque. The range is 440 km on the combined room-temperature certification standard of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. Yonhap and Asia Economy said it accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
The 7X is sold in three trims. Yonhap said the Pro uses a 75kWh LFP battery, while the Max uses the same battery as the Ultra. Both have a single rear motor producing 421 ps and 45 kg·m, and Yonhap gave their certified ranges as 375 km and 483 km respectively. Asia Economy described the Pro and Max as rear-wheel drive and the Ultra as four-wheel drive. The prices are 52.99 million won for the Pro, 59.99 million won for the Max and 69.99 million won for the Ultra. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
An SK On official said the company plans to use the 7X as a business vehicle and let employees experience it directly. A Zeekr official said the handover to SK On, the first domestic customer, was the start of delivering the brand's experience to more customers. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Yonhap reported that the 7X is known to carry CATL batteries. It said some in the industry speculated that the purchase signalled an imminent battery supply contract between SK On and Geely. An SK On official called Geely an important partner but said the purchase of the first car has nothing to do with a new battery supply contract. Yonhap added that SK On signed a contract in November 2023 with Polestar, which is under the Geely group, to supply battery modules for the Polestar 5. [ 2 ]
Yonhap and Newsis said the delivery came four months after the 7X's entry into the Korean market was announced, according to Yonhap, or after pre-orders opened in June, according to Newsis. Yonhap said reservations taken from June at nine stores nationwide topped 1,000 units within a month. Newsis said Chinese electric vehicle sales in Korea are expected to grow with the start of 7X deliveries. [ 2 , 4 ]
Zeekr Korea plans to have 14 showrooms nationwide and 11 service centres, including one on Jeju, by the end of the year. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The delivery marks the start of customer sales of the 7X in South Korea. Newsis said Chinese electric vehicle sales in the Korean market are expected to grow as a result. Zeekr Korea plans to expand its showroom and service network by the end of the year.
Key facts
- Zeekr Korea began domestic customer deliveries of the mid-size electric SUV 7X and handed the first car to SK On, it said on 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The handover ceremony took place on 21 October at the Zeekr Gangnam flagship store in Seoul. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The car delivered to SK On is the top Ultra trim, with a 100kWh NCM battery and dual motors rated at 645 ps and 72.4 kg·m; its range is 440 km on the domestic combined room-temperature certification. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Domestic prices are 52.99 million won for the Pro, 59.99 million won for the Max and 69.99 million won for the Ultra. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The Ultra accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Zeekr Korea plans 14 showrooms and 11 service centres, including one on Jeju, by the end of the year. [ 1 , 2 ]
- SK On said it will use the 7X as a company vehicle and let its employees try it. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Zeekr delivered the first South Korean customer 7X to SK On on 21 October at its Gangnam flagship store in Seoul. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The delivered car is the Ultra trim, with a 100kWh NCM battery, 645 ps, 72.4 kg·m and a 440 km certified range. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Domestic prices are 52.99 million won (Pro), 59.99 million won (Max) and 69.99 million won (Ultra). [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- SK On plans to use the car for business purposes and let employees experience it. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the purchase points to a battery supply deal between SK On and Geely. Yonhap said some in the industry speculated that a supply contract was imminent; an SK On official called Geely an important partner but said the purchase has nothing to do with a new battery supply contract.
- Which battery maker supplies the 7X. Yonhap said the 7X is known to carry CATL batteries; no other document mentions this.
- What the four-month interval is counted from. Yonhap counts four months from the announcement of the 7X's entry into the Korean market; Newsis counts four months from the start of pre-orders in June.