Source | YuanAuto

The Zeekr 9X is once again capturing widespread attention.

A video depicting the central control system of a Zeekr 9X being remotely locked by the manufacturer during an overseas self-drive adventure has thrust the vehicle into the spotlight within the automotive community. Faced with criticism for "overstepping boundaries" and a "sluggish response," Zeekr rolled out a new cross-border vehicle protection initiative on the fifth day following the video's circulation. This plan aims to uphold anti-theft security while granting users greater autonomy.

"This incident has prompted us to introspect: Even with the noble intent of safeguarding vehicle security, intricate procedures and opaque regulations can still inconvenience users," @Zeekr's official Weibo account posted on July 26. The "cross-border protection" quick-unlock feature was introduced on the Zeekr APP early that same day. Furthermore, a user-customizable "cross-border protection toggle" is slated for inclusion in future OTA updates.

The reaction has been a mixed bag. While many netizens lauded Zeekr's accountability and the relatively comprehensive nature of its solution, others felt it could have gone further. Nevertheless, with Zeekr having officially addressed the matter, significant new developments are unlikely. However, the rationale behind Zeekr's cross-border protection mechanism warrants further exploration.

For those who have been tracking the Zeekr 9X since its September 2025 launch, it may be remembered that early adopters were able to profit handsomely by reselling the vehicle, with gains amounting to thousands or even tens of thousands. On July 27, a Zeekr 9X owner in Guangzhou, who took delivery in October of the previous year, recounted to YuanAuto that after sharing news of his purchase on social media, he was promptly approached by dealers willing to buy his car for 5,000 yuan above the purchase price.

"The dealer mentioned that the Zeekr 9X was in high demand in Russia and that both of us stood to benefit financially. Ultimately, I sold it for 8,000 yuan more and placed an order for another one," the owner revealed.

Today, as the Zeekr 9X nears its first anniversary, it continues to be a lucrative option for parallel exporters. On July 27, a source close to Zeekr informed YuanAuto that the Zeekr 9X typically commands a 400,000 yuan premium in several Middle Eastern countries. Another parallel exporter in Guangzhou noted that the demand for the Zeekr 9X remains robust in Russia: "Although the profits aren't as substantial as before, there's still a chance to make tens of thousands, which is preferable to selling used cars locally."

Given the high market demand and Zeekr's absence from certain markets, new car sales and services frequently operate in a legal gray area, as exemplified by the situation in Russia. Against this backdrop, Zeekr implemented the remote locking mechanism to safeguard data security, including in-car geographic mapping information, within the central control system.

Moreover, in the event of vehicle theft during overseas self-drive trips, the remote locking mechanism can serve as a shield for personal information.

In reality, instances of Zeekr vehicles being taken abroad by individuals or third parties and subsequently triggering remote central control locks are not unprecedented. According to reports from outlets such as National Business Daily, cases of Zeekr 001 central control systems being remotely locked in Russia surfaced during its peak sales period. Some local owners who purchased "locked Zeekrs" opted to disregard the lock and continue driving, while others attempted unauthorized unlocks.

Prior to the recent remote locking incident involving the Zeekr 9X, Zeekr would aid dealers and local owners in unlocking the central control system after verifying the circumstances when vehicles were sold through parallel exports to markets like Russia, where Zeekr lacked an official presence. With the new cross-border vehicle protection plan now in effect, Zeekr export operations may become more streamlined for dealers.

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