Geely Auto, a Chinese automotive giant, intends to take its luxury electric vehicle brand, Zeekr, private just one year after it went public on the New York Stock Exchange, as revealed in recent filings. This decision comes amid heightened scrutiny from the U.S. Government, which under the Trump administration has contemplated removing Chinese firms from American stock markets as part of a wider trade dispute that has seen escalating tariffs between the two nations.
On Tuesday, Geely proposed a buyout of Zeekr at $25.66 per American Depository Receipt (ADS)—approximately $2.566 per ordinary share—reflecting a 14% premium over the company’s closing price the day prior, valuing Zeekr at around $6.5 billion. ADS holders are also given the option of receiving 12.3 shares of newly issued Geely stock for each ADS they possess.
By privatising Zeekr, Geely aims to avoid potential geopolitical tensions while solidifying its control; the company already holds a 65.7% stake in Zeekr through its founder, Li Shufu. The cost for Geely to acquire the remaining shares is estimated at about $2.2 billion. This strategic move would allow Geely to shield Zeekr from the challenges faced by electric vehicle start-ups in a highly competitive market while securing its investment.
Although Zeekr has not yet disclosed its financial performance for the first quarter, it reported total vehicle deliveries of 125,250 across its brands, Zeekr and Lynk & Co, over the first four months of 2025. Additionally, Zeekr is collaborating with autonomous driving company Waymo to develop a dedicated robotaxi for widespread use in the United States. The implications of Geely’s decision to take Zeekr private for this partnership remain unconfirmed, though Waymo has recently revealed plans to integrate its self-driving technology into Zeekr vehicles at an upcoming facility in Arizona.
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