[DigitalToday reporter Choi Jae-won] Zeekr, an electric vehicle brand under China's Geely Auto Group, stressed it will continue investing in the European Union (EU) despite stricter curbs on imports of Chinese-made vehicles. It plans to expand its sales and supply networks while responding to high tariffs and limits on import volumes.

InsideEVs recently reported that Lothar Schupet (로타르 슈페트), Zeekr's Europe chief executive, said at the Paris Motor Show, "We are committed to the European market for the long term and will continue to invest and grow."

The EU and China recently agreed to cap annual imports of Chinese-made hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles at 350,000 units. The cap will increase by 6 percent each year, and similar measures are expected to be applied to other trading partners.

Zeekr is already exporting its all-electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) 7X to Europe and paying high tariffs. Its plug-in hybrid flagship SUV 9X could also be affected by the new import curbs.

Schupet interpreted the tougher regulations as stemming from a sense of crisis in European industry over the competitiveness of Chinese automakers. He added, "Everyone is afraid of what is happening right now and wants to protect," pointing to Europe's move toward protectionism.

Zeekr presented its local business footprint as a response card. It has design and research and development staff in Europe, and its parent Geely has also invested billions of dollars in Europe. It is also expanding cooperation with local suppliers, including by applying German supplier Bosch's advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) to the 7X.

It is also strengthening its sales network. Zeekr currently operates about 200 dealers in Europe and is pursuing further expansion. Its European business has reportedly grown 200 percent from a year earlier so far this year. The recently updated 7X includes charging technology that takes less than 11 minutes and a new Bosch ADAS.

But its response to the regulations has not yet been decided. Schupet said, "The detailed standards for hybrid import restrictions are unclear," while stressing, "We will find a solution based on our experience responding to existing EV tariffs." He added, "It is important to cooperate rather than fight," and stressed Zeekr's commitment to keep expanding its business in the European market.