BYD reportedly plans 20 Canadian sales sites during 2026. Zeekr has started hiring senior staff for Toronto operations. New tariff rules sharply lower Chinese EV import costs there. The floodgates are creaking open in Canada. Just as Tesla relaunched its Chinese-built Model 3 in the country, several of China’s most aggressive automakers are putting the pieces in place to follow it through the door. Geely, Chery, and BYD are all moving on the Canadian market. As part of its preparations, Chery has brought two SUVs from its Jaecoo brand to Toronto, equipped with Ontario manufacturer license plates. Autonews Canada identified the vehicles as Jaecoo E5s, an all-electric SUV that starts at about $37,000 in Australia, where the currency is roughly at parity with the Canadian dollar. While these vehicles are thought to be in Canada only temporarily, their appearance comes shortly after the automaker sent almost two dozen local dealer representatives to the Beijing Auto Show, giving them a firsthand look at the Chinese market. Read: Americans Pay $37K For The Cheapest Tesla, Canada Got A Chinese One For $29K It’s not just Chery that’s making important moves in Canada. According to a report from last month, BYD plans to open 20 sales locations this year. The company reportedly intends to work with local partners to establish those stores. It’s also said to be actively considering building its own factory in Canada, or perhaps acquiring one from an established brand. Zeekr Gears Up In the not-too-distant future, Canadians could have several new models from the Geely Group to choose from. One of the most exciting brands prepping for a local launch is Zeekr, with confirmation that it recently began hiring for seven senior-level positions in late April, all based in Toronto and including positions in sales, legal, marketing, and aftersales. The hiring push also includes product and network development roles. Geely is also looking to hire someone to serve as Zeekr’s head of network development, responsible for evaluating dealer business plans and establishing a dealer operations guide. The rush for Chinese brands to launch in Canada comes just months after the two nations signed an important new trade deal. Through this deal, tariff rates for 49,000 EVs imported from China will be slashed from 100 percent to just 6.1 percent. Importantly, the quota of 49,000 eligible vehicles will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning automakers need to act quickly. Only 24,500 permits will be issued in the first six months of the program. Zeekr Mix
