Zeekr Australia needs to boost the native folks mover market by launching the ultra-luxurious 009 Grand Down Below, though its arrival is contingent on as-yet unconfirmed right-hand drive manufacturing.
The usual 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, provided in both seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 earlier than on-road prices, respectively.
Gross sales have step by step elevated since launch – 66 have been bought this 12 months to the tip of June – though the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) stay the popular choices within the premium folks mover house.
That hasn’t stopped Zeekr’s native crew from enquiring concerning the Grand, which hit the Chinese language market a couple of months in the past at roughly double the value of the usual 009 variants.
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“We’re exploring methods to launch it in Australia formally for the time being,” Zeekr Australia advertising boss, Andrew Haurissa informed native media in Sydney.
“With the 009 current within the native market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand right here.”
Whereas the Grand can be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there’s no assure will probably be produced in right-hand drive at this stage.
Zeekr is within the technique of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will probably be knowledgeable by the gross sales efficiency of different 009 variants throughout the globe.
“The suitable-hand drive is right here however solely as a six- or seven-seater, we’re investigating the potential for the Grand, not just for Australia however for all right-hand drive market relying on buyer wants and the enterprise case,” mentioned Zeekr world product advertising director Tony Zhou.
“The Grand model is a brand new variant that solely launched in China a couple of months in the past in left-hand drive. To transform from left- to right-hand drive takes time, together with the product improvement, engineering and homologation.
“We want a constructive enterprise case, which we’re investigating now. The efficiency of the present variations will give us the arrogance to ship the Grand model, as a result of the Grand is positioned a lot greater than present variations, which suggests the value will probably be a lot greater.
“Simply have a look at the value in China, it’s round double the traditional variations. Changing to right-hand drive the value will probably be a lot greater, what number of clients will select this one? And given the quantity assumptions, what would be the enterprise case?”
Primarily based on pricing within the Chinese language market and the prices concerned in readying a automobile on the market in Australia, it will be affordable to count on that the 009 Grand might retail for north of $250,000 regionally, making it the costliest folks mover on sale.
The 009 is certainly one of two Zeekr fashions presently accessible in Australia, alongside the compact X electrical SUV. Each will probably be joined by the bigger 7X SUV later this 12 months, with an additional SUV providing to return in 2026.
Mr Zhou says that the model needs to keep away from overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage.
“We have to contemplate the product lineup right here, as a result of we’ve got two variations already, the X, and the 7X coming, we’re going to have a brand new mannequin subsequent 12 months, it’s about whether or not the showrooms can include so many variants,” mentioned Mr Zhou.
Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxurious folks mover, however the Grand elevates that premium positioning to a different stage.
For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. As a substitute, the rear part homes a pair of airplane-style particular person seats with 24-way electrical adjustment, 12 zones of assist, heating, air flow, and therapeutic massage capabilities.
There’s additionally an enormous divider between the entrance and rear compartments, just like the Lexus LM.
The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel components and pure Himalayan marble, whereas leisure is delivered by means of a 43-inch mini-LED display screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system.
VIP passengers may also take pleasure in full privateness courtesy of sunshine curtain glass know-how that gives adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments due to an 18-litre mini fridge.
Like the bottom 009, the Grand encompasses a dual-motor electrical powertrain that may propel the folks mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds on this software. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving vary on the extra optimistic CLTC testing cycle.
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