Zeekr will start exporting its flagship 9X SUV in June 2026, with the Middle East first, Central Asia in the third quarter, and Europe in the fourth quarter. The 8X is also slated for overseas markets later in 2026, as Geely pushes for 640,000 foreign sales this year.
Zeekr is preparing to take its flagship 9X SUV overseas, with exports set to begin in June 2026. According to Geely Auto Group CEO Gan Jiayue, the first destination will be the Middle East, followed by Central Asia in the third quarter and Europe in the fourth quarter.
The rollout marks a significant step for Zeekr, which has built its reputation in China as a premium electric brand and is now broadening into plug-in hybrids as well. The 9X is the company’s first plug-in hybrid model, expanding its lineup beyond battery-electric vehicles.
9X export schedule starts with the Middle East
Information reported by CLS indicates that the 9X’s international launch plan begins in June, with regional expansion staged over the rest of the year. Europe is currently penciled in for Q4 2026, while other markets such as Australia are already confirmed for later in the timeline, with launches expected between late 2026 and early 2027.
The sequencing suggests Zeekr is using early markets to establish the model before moving into more competitive regions. That approach is common among Chinese automakers expanding abroad, especially for higher-priced vehicles where local regulations, charging infrastructure, and dealer support can affect launch timing.
Strong domestic demand supports the global push
Zeekr 9X deliveries reached 22,000 units in the first quarter of 2026, according to company data cited during its earnings call and confirmed by China EV DataTracker. Since its launch in September 2025, cumulative deliveries have climbed past 50,000 units.
That performance matters because export plans are often easier to execute when a model has already proven itself at home. In China, the 9X sits in the large SUV segment with a starting price above 500,000 yuan, or about 69,000 USD [conversion approximate], and an average transaction price of roughly 530,000 yuan, or around 73,000 USD [conversion approximate].
What the Zeekr 9X offers
The 9X is a full-size plug-in hybrid SUV built on Geely’s SEA-based architecture. It uses a tri-motor layout paired with a turbocharged engine, producing up to 1,030 kW of combined output.
Zeekr says the SUV can travel about 1,250 km under CLTC conditions, a figure that combines the benefits of electric driving with the longer range of a combustion engine. For overseas buyers, that combination could make the 9X more appealing in markets where charging infrastructure is still developing.
Zeekr 8X to follow after the 9X
Gan Jiayue also confirmed that the Zeekr 8X will enter overseas markets after the 9X. Its export launch is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026 and will continue into the first quarter of 2027.
The 8X appears to target a similarly performance-oriented premium SUV audience, though with a different price positioning. Based on earlier disclosures, it uses a tri-motor hybrid system with a peak output of 1,381 hp and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.96 seconds.
In China, the 8X is priced between 356,800 yuan and 426,800 yuan, or about 51,999 to 62,207 USD [conversion approximate], with limited-time pricing starting at 329,800 yuan, or about 48,057 USD [conversion approximate].
Why Geely is pushing abroad
Geely has been stepping up exports as part of a broader international expansion strategy. The company has said it wants to reach 640,000 overseas sales in 2026, with Zeekr expected to play an important role in premium segments.
Zeekr’s domestic sales also remain solid. China EV DataTracker reports 59,466 domestic sales in Q1 2026, up 48.3% year on year, though down 15.5% from the previous quarter. The brand’s market share rose to 1.4% from 0.8% in Q1 2025.
For Zeekr, the overseas launch of the 9X and 8X is more than a simple product export plan. It is a test of whether Chinese premium plug-in hybrids can compete globally on performance, range, and pricing at the same time.
Why This Matters
Zeekr’s overseas rollout shows how quickly Chinese automakers are moving from domestic growth to global competition. The 9X and 8X are not low-cost export models; they are premium SUVs aimed at buyers in the Middle East, Europe, and other international markets.
This matters because success abroad could strengthen Geely’s premium brand ambitions and help determine whether high-end Chinese plug-in hybrids can win acceptance outside China. The launch timing also shows how manufacturers are adapting product strategies to markets with different infrastructure and regulatory requirements.
Key Specs
- Zeekr 9X export start: June 2026
- First export market: Middle East
- Central Asia launch: Q3 2026
- Europe launch: Q4 2026
- Other confirmed market: Australia, late 2026 to early 2027
- 9X Q1 2026 deliveries: 22,000 units
- 9X cumulative deliveries: more than 50,000 since September 2025
- 9X starting price in China: above 500,000 yuan (about 73,126 USD )
- 9X average transaction price: about 530,000 yuan (about 77,505 USD )
- 9X power output: up to 1,030 kW
- 9X range: around 1,250 km CLTC
- Zeekr 8X export start: Q4 2026, continuing into Q1 2027
- 8X output: 1,381 hp
- 8X 0–100 km/h: 2.96 seconds
- 8X price range in China: 356,800–426,800 yuan
- 8X limited-time price: starting at 329,800 yuan
- Geely 2026 overseas sales target: 640,000 units
- Zeekr Q1 2026 domestic sales: 59,466 units
- Zeekr Q1 2026 year-on-year growth: 48.3%
- Zeekr Q1 2026 quarter-on-quarter change: -15.5%
- Zeekr market share in Q1 2026: 1.4%
Source: CarNewsChina
