Chinese premium electric vehicle manufacturers Zeekr and Li Auto have reported a significant surge in electric vehicle sales for the month of September. Li Auto delivered 53,709 vehicles in September 2024, showing a 48.9% increase compared to the previous year. This brought their third-quarter deliveries to 152,831, marking a 45.4% year-over-year growth. By the end of September 2024, Li Auto had delivered a total of 341,812 vehicles for the year, with cumulative deliveries reaching 975,176.
Xiang Li, the chairman and chief executive officer of Li Auto, highlighted the increasing dominance of leading brands in the new energy vehicle market, with the top three brands capturing over 50% of the RMB200,000 and above NEV market. Li Auto accounted for over 17% of the market share in this segment, ranking first among Chinese automotive brands. The company’s order intake for the Li L series and Li MEGA models has been steadily increasing, leading to record deliveries in September.
Li Auto has been expanding its presence with 479 retail stores in 145 cities, 436 servicing centers, and authorized body and paint shops operating in 221 cities. Additionally, the company has 894 supercharging stations in operation equipped with 4,286 charging stalls across China.
On the other hand, Zeekr delivered 21,333 vehicles in September 2024, marking a 77% year-over-year increase. Year-to-date, Zeekr has delivered 142,873 vehicles in 2024, representing an 81% growth compared to the same period last year. By the end of September 2024, Zeekr’s cumulative deliveries reached 339,506.
Zeekr recently unveiled its premium electric five-seater SUV, the Zeekr 7X, on September 20, 2024, with deliveries starting the next day. The Zeekr 7X is designed to challenge conventional SUVs by combining luxurious comfort with robust off-road capabilities, making it suitable for both urban and challenging conditions.
The surge in EV sales by both Zeekr and Li Auto reflects the growing demand for premium electric vehicles in the Chinese market. The competition between these two manufacturers is driving innovation and offering consumers a wider range of options when it comes to high-quality electric vehicles. With the focus on sustainability and technological advancements, both companies are well-positioned to continue their growth in the EV market in the coming years.
