Geely’s Zeekr May Ditch Its Public Plans Once More

From Wall Street to Exit Signs

Just a year ago, Zeekr made a flashy debut on the New York Stock Exchange. Now, the company’s parent, Geely, wants to pull it back off.

Going public was supposed to open global doors, but times change fast in the electric vehicle world. With more competition than ever, Geely believes it’s smarter to run the show without outside pressure. Taking Zeekr private could give them tighter control and quicker decision-making. Investors were surprised, but many see the upside.

Geely’s Big Plan for Zeekr

Geely holds about 66% of Zeekr, but now it wants full control. It’s offering to buy out all remaining shares and take the company private.

The goal is simple: streamline operations, speed up innovation, and avoid the delays caused by public reporting rules. With Zeekr under full ownership, Geely can invest deeply in next-gen EV tech. No more waiting for shareholder approval or adjusting for quarterly earnings.

Wall Street Reacts to the News

When Geely announced its offer to buy the rest of Zeekr, the stock jumped. The share price went up 11%, showing strong support for the plan.

The offer includes either $25.66 per American Depository Receipt or a stock swap with Geely. For many investors, it’s a win-win. They get a premium for their shares or the chance to stay connected to Geely’s growing empire.

Why Go Private Now?

Geely says being a private company helps Zeekr stay agile in a fast-changing world. They can make bold moves without second-guessing from public markets.

The EV market shifts rapidly, and being tied to stock performance can hold back innovation. By removing that pressure, Zeekr can focus purely on building better cars, exploring new tech, and scaling up. It’s about cutting out the noise and betting big on the future.

One Brand in a Big Family

Zeekr is just one part of Geely’s crowded garage. They also own Volvo, Lotus, Smart, Lynk & Co, and more, making coordination a challenge.

By consolidating control of Zeekr, Geely hopes to clean up the structure and align its strategies. It’s tough managing multiple brands all chasing similar markets. Bringing Zeekr in-house fully gives Geely a clearer picture of where to invest and how to divide resources.

U.S. Politics Play a Role

There’s been rising tension between the U.S. and China, especially around tech and trade. Some U.S. officials want to delist Chinese firms entirely.

Geely may be moving first to avoid getting caught up in any forced exit. By taking Zeekr private on their own terms, they stay in control of the process. It’s a smart way to protect their assets and avoid sudden legal or regulatory troubles.

Simplifying the Corporate Web

Over the past year, Geely has shuffled ownership between its brands. Zeekr gained more control over Lynk & Co, and Geely gained more of Zeekr.

Now, the idea is to make things even more direct. Fewer overlapping stakes, fewer board meetings, and clearer leadership. It’s easier to innovate when decision paths are short. Investors often struggle to understand Geely’s maze of ownership.

Zeekr’s Future Outside Wall Street

Going private doesn’t mean giving up. Zeekr still has big goals, just without public shareholders involved in every step.

The brand wants to grow across Europe and Asia, push its tech forward, and stay a leader in the luxury EV market. Wall Street can be impatient with slow growth or risky bets, but startups like Zeekr often need time.

As a private company, Zeekr can take calculated risks without fear of stock price drops. It’s about building long-term value without having to explain every step to the market.

A Race Against EV Giants

The EV market is crowded. Zeekr competes with Tesla, BYD, Hyundai, and dozens of other fast-growing brands.

To survive, they need speed and flexibility. Public companies often move slowly due to red tape. Going private could help Zeekr move faster, with new models, faster launches, quicker updates. If you’re stuck trying to please stockholders, you might miss your chance.

A Robotaxi in the Works

Zeekr is working with Waymo to build a purpose-built robotaxi for the U.S. That project is still moving forward.

Autonomous driving is one of Zeekr’s boldest bets. Even if the company leaves Wall Street, that doesn’t mean the tech partnerships end. Waymo just announced plans to test Zeekr-built robotaxis at its Arizona facility.

Strong Delivery Numbers in 2025

So far in 2025, Zeekr and Lynk & Co delivered over 125,000 vehicles. That’s solid growth for a still-young brand.

These numbers show that Zeekr isn’t just talk, it’s actually building and selling cars. That’s rare in the crowded EV space, where many brands never make it past prototypes. With that kind of momentum, Geely wants to double down.

A Smart Price for Investors

Geely’s offer of $25.66 per Zeekr ADS is a solid deal. It’s 14% higher than the last market price before the offer was made.

Investors can also swap for Geely stock, keeping a stake in the bigger auto empire. For many, this is a fair exit. It’s not a fire sale, and it’s not being forced. Most of the value is still on the table. Geely benefits by gaining full control.

Betting Big on the Long Game

Geely’s founder Li Shufu isn’t afraid to play the long game. He believes that deep control leads to deep innovation.

By owning 100% of Zeekr, he can fund projects that may take years to pay off. That’s hard to do as a public company under constant pressure to perform every quarter. This buyout signals a focus on the future, not just today’s numbers.

Cutting Out the Red Tape

Public companies face tons of regulations, reporting rules, and investor demands. That slows everything down.

By going private, Zeekr can skip a lot of that paperwork and move faster. Fewer board approvals, fewer lawyers, fewer investor calls. This is about cutting out what’s unnecessary so the company can focus on making amazing cars.

Room to Try New Things

Private companies can experiment without fear of immediate backlash. That’s perfect for Zeekr, which is still shaping its identity.

From wild concept cars to AI-powered interiors, the brand is known for bold ideas. Public companies often shy away from risky innovation because of market reactions. Going private opens the door to try more things, fail fast, and learn quickly. It’s how Tesla became Tesla.

Zeekr’s not the only one pushing limits; Tesla’s latest move is worth a look.

What’s Coming Next for Zeekr?

If investors agree to the offer, Zeekr could be fully private within months. After that, significant changes may come fast.

We might see new models, new countries, and new tech rollouts without the slowdowns of public ownership. Geely sees this as a relaunch, not a retreat. It’s about shifting gears to go full speed ahead.

Meanwhile, Tesla’s hitting speed bumps of its own, see what’s slowing down Cybertruck sales.

Think Zeekr should’ve stayed public? Drop your thoughts below.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.