Zeekr is the premium electric brand of the Geely group
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Zeekr is the premium electric brand of the Geely group
- In our Auto-Analyses, we presented a quick study of several Chinese carmakers with their range of cars currently marketed in China, such as BYD, MG, Polestar, Leapmotor, and Xpeng. Here is a continuation of the quick study of several other Chinese brands.
- Let's start with Zeekr (pronounced Zeeker), a subsidiary of the Geely Group, the second-largest Chinese carmaker after BYD. The Zeekr brand was created in 2021 as a brand specializing in luxury or premium electric vehicles. In the first 11 months of 2025, Geely produced 193,164 Zeekr vehicles in China, of which 4,000 were exported to 30 European countries (EU + UK + Switzerland + Norway) and 3,000 to Russia.
- The current range consists of seven different models: Zeekr 001 (E-segment SUV, BEV, 4.97 m long, 36,072 units over 11 months to 2025), Zeekr 007 (E-segment sedan, BEV, 4.86 m long, 43,424 units), Zeekr 009 (E-segment MPV, BEV, 5.21 m long, 20,564 units), Zeekr X (C-segment SUV, BEV, 4.45 m long, 7,976 units), Zeekr 7X (D-segment SUV, BEV, 4.82 m long, 69,664 units), Zeekr 9X (E-segment SUV, PHEV, 5.24 m long, 15,217 units), Zeekr MIX (C-segment MPV, BEV, 4.69 m long, 247 units).
- Zeekr brand has been steadily growing since 2021. Its production volume in China increased from 6,190 units in 2021 to 72,062 in 2022, 123,077 in 2023, and 225,292 in 2024. However, the 2025 volume appears to be slightly down based on figures from the first 11 months. It is estimated at approximately 210,000 units.
Inovev forecasts 50,000 Mercedes GLB units per year in Europe
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Inovev forecasts 50,000 Mercedes GLB units per year in Europe
- Mercedes has unveiled the second generation of its C-segment SUV, the GLB, now available in mild-hybrid and battery electric versions (formerly known as the EQB). Unlike the previous generation, the new GLB will be produced entirely in Kecskemét, Hungary, for both its combustion engine and electric versions. This represents a kind of relocation of production, as the previous Mercedes GLB was production in Mexico and exported to Europe. In the first 11 months of 2025, 20,000 GLB and 30,000 EQB were sold in Europe, with the electric version outselling the combustion engine version.
- The new Mercedes GLB, which measures 4.73 m long (+10 cm compared to the old GLB) and 1.86 m wide (+3 cm compared to the old GLB), is based on the same MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform as the recent CLA.
- The GLB's mild-hybrid (MHEV) engine is derived from the CLA. It's a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, available in 136 hp, 163 hp, or 190 hp versions, paired with a small 30 hp electric motor (48V system). A diesel engine is not offered on this model.
- The electric version also comes from the CLA. It consists of an electric motor developing either 272 hp or 354 hp, coupled with an 85 kWh NMC battery or a 58 kWh LFP battery in the entry-level version (800 V system) allowing a range of over 600 km according to the WLTP cycle.
- Inovev is forecasting 50,000 units per year of the new Mercedes GLB in Europe, with 40% being internal combustion engine versions and 60% electric versions. The model will also be produced in China and Mexico to meet local demand.
Turkish carmaker Togg launches its second model: the T10F sedan
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Turkish carmaker Togg launches its second model: the T10F sedan
- Following its battery electric T10X D-segment SUV, launched in Turkey in 2023 and in Europe in 2024, Turkish carmaker Togg has launched its second battery electric model: the T10F sedan, also in the D segment. The Togg T10F, whose "T" refers both to Turkey (the country where the car is produced) and to the Togg brand (established near Istanbul in 2018 from a company specializing in lithium-ion battery manufacturing), will be produced at Togg 's Gemlik plant in Bursa province, on Turkey's west coast. Togg is Turkey's first major national electric vehicle carmaker, supported by the Turkish government. However, it is not the first Turkish-designed and produced car, as it was preceded by the Anadol in the 1960s.
- This second Togg T10F model is a sedan 4.83 m long and 1.88 m wide, equipped with an electric motor of 210 hp (160 kW) or two electric motors joined together totaling 420 hp (320 kW), coupled to a 52.4 kWh LFP battery or an 88.5 kWh NMC battery allowing a range of 623 km according to the WLTP cycle.
- While the production volume of the T10X SUV reached 20,000 units in 2023, 30,000 in 2024 and 28,000 in 2025, that of the T10F sedan could reach 30,000 units per year from 2026, compared to 10,000 in 2025.
- Togg plans to launch three more models between 2026 and 2030, a B-segment SUV (T8X), a B-segment coupe SUV (T8CX) and a C-segment minivan (T10V).
The market share decline of foreign carmakers in China continues
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The market share decline of foreign carmakers in China continues
- The contraction of the market share of foreign carmakers in China is hitting almost every brands and has remained constant for several years.
• Among the 14 foreign groups that produce passenger cars in China, the VW group remains the leader but its market share has fallen from 10.0% in 2024 to 8.6% in 2025. This group is among those that are declining the most in volume in 2025 (-98,000 units over 11 months).
• The Toyota group is the second largest foreign carmaker in China, whose market share has fallen from 5.5% to 5.2% but with a sales volume that has nevertheless increased by 72,000 units over 11 months compared to 2024.
• The third foreign carmaker in China is the American company Tesla, whose market share fell from 3.4% to 2.8%, with sales volume down by 68,000 units compared to 2024.
• The fourth foreign carmaker in China is the Japanese company Honda, whose market share fell from 3.2% to 2.2%, with sales volume down by 184,000 units compared to 2024. It is the foreign carmaker that has declined the most in 2025.
• The fifth foreign carmaker in China is the Japanese company Nissan, whose market share fell from 2.4% to 2.0%, with sales volume down by 30,000 units compared to 2024.
• The sixth-largest foreign carmaker in China is the GM Group , whose market share has increased from 1.8% to 2.0%, with sales volume projected to rise by 125,000 units compared to 2024 (volumes from Wuling and Baojun, owned by SAIC, were not included). It is the foreign carmaker with the largest projected growth in 2025.
• Next are BMW, whose market share fell from 2.3% to 1.8%; Mercedes, whose market share fell from 2.2% to 1.6%; Hyundai-Kia, whose market share fell from 1.6% to 1.5%; Ford Group, whose market share fell from 1.3% to 1.1%; Mazda, whose market share remained stable at 0.3%; and Stellantis, whose market share fell from 0.3% to 0.2%.
- Overall, foreign brands lost 4% market share in China between the end of November 2024 and the end of November 2025.
The partnership between Ford and VW may not be entirely satisfactory
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The partnership between Ford and VW may not be entirely satisfactory
- The partnership between Ford and VW may not be entirely satisfactory. Initially, this partnership focused on:
• supplying Ford Europe with Volkswagen MEB platforms dedicated to battery electric vehicles for the production of the Ford Capri and Explorer.
• the production in Turkey at the Ford plant in Kocaeli of Volkswagen Transporter vans newly derived from the Ford Transit Custom.
• the production in Poland at the Volkswagen plant in Poznan of the Ford Transit Connect vans newly derived from the Volkswagen Caddy. However, the two productions did not obtain the expected results from this partnership.
- For Ford:
• The Ford Capri and Explorer produced at Ford's Cologne plant (Germany) are failing to meet their sales targets, which were well over 200,000 units. Inovev had only projected 100,000 units per year, and 2025 will end with a volume of less than 75,000 units. The target of 600,000 Ford BEV sales by 2026 appears unattainable.
• The Ford Transit Connect produced at the VW site in Poznan (Poland) will not exceed 50,000 units in 2025, compared to 72,000 in 2024 and 90,000 in 2019. This is half of what was planned.
- For Volkswagen:
• VW Kombi and Transporter vans at Ford's Kocaeli plant in Turkey will fall short of 75,000 units in 2025, compared to 112,000 in 2023 and 114,000 in 2022 when these models were produced in Germany by Volkswagen. This represents a decrease of almost 40% compared to projections.
- It is therefore not unusual that Ford is turning to another carmaker (Renault) to relaunch itself in the market of electric cars, when it could have continued its partnership with Volkswagen (based on ID1 and ID2).
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