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Zeekr Australia’s managing directior says potential plans to launch the Lynk & Co model right here don’t stack up proper now, however Lynk & Co fashions may nonetheless find yourself in native showrooms carrying Zeekr badges.
Whereas each Zeekr and Lynk & Co are a part of the Geely group, which additionally incorporates Volvo, Polestar, Sensible, Lotus and different manufacturers, Zeekr took over Lynk & Co earlier this 12 months, and its native workplace is contemplating whether or not to carry the marque Down Below as a stand-alone model right here.
Talking on the current launch of the brand new 7X mid-size electrical SUV, Zeekr Australia managing director Frank Li informed CarExpert the choice has not been made on whether or not to launch the Lynk & Co model right here – however he indicated he has a choice.
“My private opinion is that it doesn’t actually make a variety of sense for one model with the Zeekr title… [which] brings in two or three fashions, and all of a sudden now we have to create one other… carry one other new model, and convey one other one or two fashions… that doesn’t actually make a variety of sense,” Mr Li mentioned.
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That considerably places paid to the launch of the Lynk & Co model (however not its fashions) in Australia within the short- to medium-term, however maybe not completely.
“In the meanwhile we’re fascinated about all of the Zeekr fashions, Lynk & Co fashions collectively,” Mr Li mentioned.
“However for this level, I must report back to HQ and rethink the imaginative and prescient as properly.”
It appears the choice hasn’t formally been made about which course to take, however the intentions of Zeekr’s native division appear loud and clear.
Zeekr arrived in Australia late final 12 months however was fashioned in 2021, making it 5 years youthful than Lynk & Co, however a reorganisation throughout the Geely group noticed Zeekr take a 51 per cent stake within the older Chinese language model in February 2025.
The remaining 49 per cent possession of Lynk & Co belongs to Geely, which additionally has a ten per cent possession stake of Mercedes-Benz.
Geely will formally personal 100 per cent of Zeekr by the tip of 2025, having upped its 62.8 per cent stake earlier this 12 months to carry the Zeekr model again into personal possession after it listed on the New York Inventory Trade (NYSE) in 2024.
The 2 manufacturers are already strongly interlinked, with the unique 2020 Lynk & Co Zero Idea turning into the pioneering Zeekr 001 manufacturing mannequin in showrooms in 2021.
Whereas Zeekr continues to be lower than a 12 months previous in Australia, different Chinese language automakers – most notably Chery – haven’t shied away from including extra manufacturers for Aussies to think about.
After returning to Australia in 2023, the Chery model was joined by Omoda Jaecoo earlier this 12 months and will probably be joined by Leapas in 2026 – making it the third model launched by Chery in Australia in 4 years.
It’s considered one of greater than 10 auto manufacturers operated by Chery globally, together with Rely, which specialises in dual-cab utes and will assist Chery create the competitor for the favored Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux it has promised to launch in Australia.
First Australian buyer deliveries of the Zeekr 7X are scheduled to start subsequent month (October), and the corporate expects the Tesla Mannequin Y rival to develop into its best-selling mannequin, forward of the Zeekr X small electrical SUV and 009 electrical people-mover already on sale.
MORE: Discover the Zeekr showroom
