Electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr has announced the launch of its first SUV, the Zeekr 7X, set to debut in China next month. Priced at 239,900 yuan ($33,829), the 7X undercuts Tesla’s Model Y by over 1,400 yuan ($196). The launch is scheduled for September 20.
The Zeekr 7X marks the company’s entry into the midsize electric SUV market and is poised to compete directly with Tesla’s Model Y, which is also a five-seater. Zeekr plans to make the 7X available in global markets by the end of the year, although specific regions for the rollout have not been disclosed.
Equipped with two battery options, the Zeekr 7X offers impressive range capabilities, allowing drivers to travel between 605 and 780 kilometers (approximately 376 to 485 miles) on a single charge. The SUV’s lithium-ion phosphate batteries are engineered to charge 75% in just 10.5 minutes, a claim Zeekr says surpasses Tesla’s charging speeds.
The 7X is designed to challenge Tesla’s Model Y with its own high-performance features. The SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.8 seconds. In contrast, Tesla’s Model Y, starting at 249,900 yuan ($35,240), remains one of the top-selling electric vehicles in China.
The competition in China’s electric vehicle market is intensifying. Recent weeks have seen other Chinese EV manufacturers, like Xpeng and Nio, introduce lower-priced models. Xpeng’s new Mona M03 starts at under $17,000, while Nio’s new Onvo brand offers cars priced $4,000 less than the Model Y. Xiaomi also entered the fray with its SU7, priced at 215,900 yuan ($30,408), aiming to undercut Tesla’s Model 3, which starts at 245,900 yuan ($34,676).
This price war is placing pressure on Tesla, which has struggled to maintain its competitive edge amidst rising concerns about vehicle quality. A recent 2024 U.S. Initial Quality Study indicated that Tesla is losing ground even to traditional automakers due to these quality issues.
In contrast, Tesla has faced relatively lighter tariffs in the European Union compared to Chinese competitors, such as the 36% tariff on SAIC products. Tesla’s pricing for the China-made Model Y has remained unchanged for nine weeks.
In July, Zeekr reported a 30% increase in sales year-on-year, totaling 15,655 vehicles. Tesla, meanwhile, saw a 47% rise, selling 46,227 cars. The competition between these manufacturers underscores the rapidly evolving landscape of the electric vehicle market in China.
