Chinese EV maker Zeekr prepares North American launch as tariffs tumble

Inside a highly automated factory outside Ningbo, Geely Auto Group builds its premium Zeekr line, including the 9X plug-in hybrid that blends European design with Chinese technology. Vice-President of manufacturing Zhao Chunlin, a former GM employee, claims the Chinese-made vehicles surpass American models in quality and price. A trade agreement negotiated in Beijing by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Xi Jinping cuts Canadian tariffs on Chinese EVs from 100% to 6%, permitting 49,000 units in the first year and representing roughly a quarter of Canada’s recent EV market.

The reduced duties give Zeekr a cost advantage over U.S. competitors like Tesla, GM and Ford, though the United States continues to bar Chinese imports on security grounds. Zeekr is already present in more than 50 markets and will begin exporting the 9X to Europe and the Middle East this month, signalling a broader push into Western markets.