Chinese premium car brand Zeekr has confirmed it remains on track to launch in the UK before the end of this year, with the first customer cars expected to reach British roads in early 2027.

The Geely-owned brand, which sits alongside Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and Lynk & Co, is continuing to build its UK operation following the appointment of Tom Johnson as chief commercial officer, and says it's now engaging with potential dealer partners ahead of a launch.

A Zeekr spokesperson told The Independent: "Following the appointment of Tom Johnson as our UK CCO this month, we are continuing this momentum to build our wider UK team and engage with dealer partners. Whilst we cannot share a finalised launch timeline at this stage, we are still on track to start sales at the end of this year, with Zeekr cars actually hitting the UK roads in early 2027. We continue to tailor our market strategies locally, as each market has different customer behaviours and purchasing models – there is no one-size-fits-all approach."

The company has yet to confirm which models will lead its UK launch, although its current European range includes the X compact SUV, the 7X family SUV, the 001 shooting brake and the recently revealed 7GT estate.

The Independent has already driven the 7X, a Tesla Model Y-sized SUV that impressed with its premium interior and rapid charging capability. However, Zeekr has also hinted that one of its most ambitious models could eventually make its way to Britain.

That car is the new 9X, a large luxury SUV developed to compete with the biggest premium SUVs like the Range Rover and Bentley Bentayga. While there's no confirmed launch date, Zeekr says it's very much part of its long-term UK thinking.

"The UK is a key market in our European expansion,” the spokesperson continued, “And we offer models that are inspired by consumer demand in each market – therefore we expect the 9X to be one of those models, although we cannot confirm an exact timeline at this stage. The Zeekr 9X Chinese version is incredibly popular, with 1 in every 3 luxury cars above 500,000 RMB [about £55,000] sold in China being a Zeekr 9X. We are confident the European luxury consumer will also fall in love with the European designed Zeekr 9X."

Unlike most Zeekr models, the 9X uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain rather than being fully electric. The European version combines a petrol engine with electric motors for a total of 897bhp and a claimed 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds. Zeekr also says its battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in just nine and a half minutes on a suitably powerful charger.

Designed in Gothenburg, Sweden, the six-seat SUV is packed with luxury features and gives the clearest indication yet of the sort of high-end buyers Zeekr is targeting.

Full UK pricing, specifications and retail plans are expected to be announced closer to the brand's official launch later this year.