Geely to Take Zeekr Private Amid US-China Trade Tensions

Zeekr to Delist from NYSE Following Geely’s Take-Private Offer

Zeekr, the electric vehicle (EV) division of China’s Geely Auto, is poised to be removed from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) just over a year after its initial public offering, according to official filings.

Geopolitical Factors and Trade Tensions

This move to take the company private occurs amidst increasing scrutiny of Chinese firms listed on U.S. exchanges. The administration of former President Trump initiated discussions regarding the potential removal of Chinese companies, as part of a wider trade conflict and escalating tariff disputes between the United States and China.

Details of the Take-Private Offer

Geely has proposed a price of $25.66 for each Zeekr American Depository Receipt (ADS), equivalent to $2.566 per ordinary share.

This offer represents approximately a 14% premium over Zeekr’s closing price on Monday. The total valuation of the company under this deal is estimated at $6.5 billion.

Alternatively, ADS holders have the option of receiving 12.3 newly issued Geely shares for each ADS held.

Strategic Advantages for Geely

Beyond mitigating potential geopolitical risks, Geely stands to benefit significantly from taking Zeekr private. The financial outlay required is relatively modest, given Geely’s existing stake.

Currently, Geely, through its founder Li Shufu, controls 65.7% of Zeekr. Therefore, the cost to acquire the remaining shares is estimated to be around $2.2 billion.

This investment would allow Geely to shield Zeekr from the challenges inherent in being a new EV entrant in a highly competitive market, thereby safeguarding its investment.

Recent Vehicle Delivery Numbers

While first-quarter results are pending, Zeekr and its affiliated brand, Lynk & Co, collectively delivered 125,250 vehicles during the first four months of 2025.

Collaboration with Waymo

Zeekr is actively collaborating with Waymo, a leading autonomous vehicle company, to develop a specialized robotaxi designed for large-scale deployment within the U.S.

The potential impact of Geely’s take-private offer on this partnership remains unconfirmed. However, Waymo recently announced plans to integrate its self-driving technology into Zeekr vehicles at its new facility in Arizona later this year.