Geely to Privatize EV Unit Zeekr Amid US-China Trade Tensions

Geely to Privatize EV Unit Zeekr

Chinese automaker Geely is moving to take its electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary, Zeekr, private. This decision comes approximately one year after Zeekr's initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Privatization Offer Amid Trade Tensions

Geely's offer to privatize Zeekr coincides with increasing trade tensions between the US and China. The offer price of $25.66 per American Depository Receipt (ADS), represents a premium over Zeekr's recent trading price. This values the company at approximately $6.5 billion. ADS holders also have the option to receive Geely shares instead of cash.

Geely's Strategic Move

Geely already holds a majority stake in Zeekr. Taking the company private allows Geely to streamline decision-making and potentially shield Zeekr from the volatility of the public market. This move could provide Zeekr with more stability as it navigates the competitive EV landscape.

Zeekr's Performance and Partnerships

Zeekr has seen significant growth in vehicle deliveries. The company, along with its sister brand Lynk & Co, delivered over 125,000 vehicles in the first four months of 2025. Zeekr is also collaborating with Waymo to develop a purpose-built robotaxi for the US market. The impact of Zeekr's privatization on this partnership remains unclear.

For more information on Zeekr's IPO, visit this TechCrunch article.

To learn more about the US-China trade war, refer to this Politico article.

Details on Zeekr's robotaxi collaboration with Waymo can be found in this TechCrunch article and information on Waymo's Arizona facility is available here.