Geely recently filed at least nine trademark applications in South Africa relating to its Zeekr sub-brand, giving us an idea of what might be on the menu for Mzansi…
- Geely makes nine new Zeekr trademark filings
- Zeekr sub-brand “coming soon” to Mzansi?
- Global range includes BEV and PHEV models
The Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has filed several fresh trademark applications in South Africa relating to its Zeekr new-energy vehicle sub-brand, potentially hinting at which models might be on the cards for Mzansi.
As a reminder, Geely returned to SA late in 2025. Though the Hangzhou-based automaker initially suggested it had plans to launch the Zeekr marque (which was established in 2021) locally before the end of 2026, Geely Auto SA has since told us its management team is “still in discussions on timelines”.
That said, a dedicated South African page has been added to Zeekr’s global website, which lists the brand as “coming soon” to the local market (and includes a “keep me updated” form that allows users to register their interest).
Regardless of exactly when the first Zeekr units are due to touch down, it’s interesting to note the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group filed at least nine separate Zeekr-related trademark applications with SA’s intellectual property regulator from late August to early September 2026 (after having registered the “Zeekr” name locally in 2025).
In August, the company applied to protect the “X” badge – as used on the fully electric Zeekr X, a 4 432 mm-long crossover that has been in production in China since 2023 – as well as the “Guanghui” moniker (seemingly a trim-level name). In fellow right-hand-drive market Australia, the Zeekr X is available in 250 kW rear-wheel-drive form and 365 kW all-paw guise.
Applications to trademark the “7X”, “8X”, “9X”, “7GT”, “8GT”, “9GT” and “9S” names locally followed in early September 2026. Pictured on the SA page of Zeekr’s global website, the 7X is a fully electric mid-size crossover (4 787 mm long) offered in 310 kW rear-driven flavour and 475 kW all-wheel-drive form.
Meanwhile, the 8X and 9X are large plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) marketed as luxury SUVs. The 8X has only just gone into production in China, while the six-seater 9X recently detailed for Europe combines a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with front and rear electric motors, plus a 55 kWh (gross) battery pack. Peak power for this 5 239 mm-long model comes in at 660 kW.
Then there’s the 7GT, a fully electric shooting brake that measures 4 817 mm long. The flagship version boasts peak power of 475 kW and a claimed 0-100 kph time of just 3.3 seconds. Interestingly, Zeekr has yet to use the 8GT and 9GT badges on a production model, while the 9S has likewise yet to officially break cover.
Of course, we should point out that a trademark application is by no means a guarantee that the automaker will use the badge in question. So, there’s certainly no confirmation that all of the models mentioned above are indeed in the pipeline for South Africa. Still, this latest flurry of applications at least gives us a fair idea of what to expect…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Geely launching its Zeekr sub-brand in South Africa?
A: While Geely Auto SA is finalising timelines, Zeekr’s global site lists the brand as “coming soon” to South Africa, backed by nine new trademark applications filed with local patent authorities in late 2026.
Q: Which Zeekr models were trademarked for South Africa?
A: Geely applied to protect the X, 7X, 8X, 9X, 7GT, 8GT, 9GT and 9S badges, alongside the “Guanghui” moniker, covering a mix of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
Q: What are the powertrain specs for key Zeekr models like the 7X and 9X?
A: The fully electric 7X crossover offers up to 475 kW in all-wheel-drive form, while the flagship 9X PHEV luxury SUV pairs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with dual electric motors for a total output of 660 kW.
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Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
