Chinese electric automaker Zeekr is setting up its European headquarters in a bid to attract a deeper pool of international talent. Zeekr will extract 80 members of its top management team from China and parachute them into a dedicated site located near the southern part of Amsterdam, near Schiphol airport. Zeekr expects to grow its European HQ by about 100 people before year-end.

Zeekr currently maintains a technical centre in Sweden, the hometown of three sister brands under Geely Holding: Volvo, Polestar, and Lynk & CO. Zeekr technical centre, which comprises approximately 1,000 individuals, is situated in Gothenburg.

Additionally, the recently inaugurated styling centre of the Chinese brand, housing 500 employees, is also located in the same city. Zeekr commenced order-taking for its 001 midsize shooting brake and X compact SUV in Sweden and the Netherlands in June.

Deliveries for these orders are anticipated to commence next month. On August 28, the first shipment, comprising 288 units of the 001, embarked on its journey from China to Europe. Zeekr estimates a transit time of 70 days for the ship to reach its European destination.

During September, Zeekr delivered over 150,000 vehicles to customers, with a primary focus on the Chinese market. Registrations in Europe, according to industry data, amounted to 74 units through August.