On Wednesday, Zeekr officially opened its first brand showroom, or “Brand Gallery,” in Daechi-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, and plans to launch the midsize all-electric SUV Zeekr 7X in South Korea as early as June. The move makes Zeekr the second Chinese electric vehicle brand, after BYD, to formally enter South Korea’s passenger vehicle market. Zeekr’s first brand gallery in South Korea Back in December last year, Zeekr signed agreements with four Korean dealers, laying the groundwork for its local retail network. Gangnam has long been one of South Korea’s most concentrated markets for imported luxury vehicle sales, with brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche operating flagship stores in the area. Zeekr’s decision to open its first Korean showroom there signals the company’s continued focus on the premium EV segment. The 915-square-meter showroom displays four flagship Zeekr models, including the high-performance shooting brake 001 FR, the luxury MPV 009, the new MIX concept MPV, and the flagship SUV 9X. Zeekr’s SEA architecture displayed in the gallery Zeekr also showcased its SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform to the Korean public for the first time. The modular EV architecture underpins all current Zeekr models and supports products ranging from sedans to large SUVs. Under its expansion plan, Zeekr intends to establish additional retail channels in cities including Incheon and Busan, with a long-term target of building 14 showrooms and 11 service centers across South Korea. Zeer 009 At present, fewer than 20 units of the Zeekr 7X have arrived in Korea and entered the certification process. The vehicle is positioned as a midsize electric SUV expected to compete against the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6. Historically, South Korea’s automotive market has remained relatively conservative toward Chinese brands, with domestic automakers Hyundai and Kia maintaining dominant market positions. Imported brands including Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz also control a large share of the country’s premium segment. Zeekr Lounge in South Korea However, as EV penetration continues to rise, Chinese automakers are gradually finding opportunities to break into the market. BYD has emerged as a notable example. After officially entering South Korea in early 2025, the company’s sales growth accelerated significantly. According to data from KAIDA, BYD sold 2,023 vehicles in South Korea in April, up 273% year-on-year, ranking behind only Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz among imported vehicle brands.