According to automotive industry sources on Thursday, Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D team members were impressed by the Chinese electric minivan, the “Mix,” from Zeekr during a recent competitive vehicle assessment.
Zeekr is a premium brand under China’s largest automaker, Geely, which also owns a major stake in Volvo. As Zeekr prepares to enter the Korean market, Hyundai is paying close attention—especially after the success of BYD, often dubbed “China’s Tesla.” However, a Hyundai spokesperson cautioned against overinterpretation, stating, “Our evaluations cover vehicles from across the globe.”
The response from employees who participated in the assessment was notably enthusiastic. The evaluation, conducted at Hyundai’s R&D center, involved not just key R&D personnel but also production staff in what was described as a “Zeekr teardown.” They went beyond mere inspection, completely disassembling the vehicle to examine its new technologies. One participant expressed concern, saying, “Competition won’t be easy; we can’t underestimate Chinese cars,” highlighting the vehicle’s unexpected market potential.
Hyundai’s heightened concern stems from the possibility of Chinese brands dominating the Korean electric minivan market as the EV era approaches.
The Zeekr Mix offers a spacious interior despite its compact size, boasting a wheelbase of over 3m. At 4,688mm long, it’s more compact than Hyundai’s Staria or Kia’s Carnival, potentially offering better maneuverability. Its front seats rotate 270 degrees, and the coach doors, designed without B-pillars, enhance accessibility and openness. The Mix impresses with its battery performance, claiming a 700km range on a single charge in China and the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in just 10 minutes.
Hyundai currently does not offer any models with coach doors, a feature set to debut on the Genesis GV90 later this year. The electric Staria is not due until next year, and there has been no announcement of the electric version of the Carnival. As a result, Zeekr could capture a significant share of the electric minivan market.
Industry experts also anticipate competition with Kia’s recently unveiled PV5, aimed at purpose-built mobility. The Korean minivan market sees annual sales of about 127,000 units. An industry insider commented, “Chinese brands are intensifying partnerships with Hyundai’s rivals, including KG Mobility and Renault Korea.”
