A Symptom of Success
When a new car is this good, people will do anything to get their hands on one. The Zeekr 9X, a new full-size plug-in hybrid SUV, is experiencing such intense demand in China that a secondary market has exploded on the trading platform Xianyu. Eager buyers are paying scalpers premiums of up to 120,000 yuan, or about $17,000, just to flip a pre-order allocation. That’s a markup of 10 to 26 percent over the official sticker price, which starts at 465,900 yuan (around $66,000).
The Agony of the Wait
So, what’s driving this frenzy? It boils down to a classic case of hype overwhelming production capacity. Early adopters of the Zeekr 9X were quoted reasonable delivery windows of 9 to 11 weeks. However, as orders flooded in, those estimates ballooned. Current buyers are now looking at wait times between 11 and 26 weeks, depending on their chosen trim. Reports from Chinese owners confirm the frustration, with some who placed orders back in October and November still waiting for their vehicles. This long wait has created a golden opportunity for scalpers to profit from impatient customers.
This isn’t an isolated incident. China’s red hot EV market has seen similar situations with other highly anticipated models. Pre-order slots for the Xiaomi YU7, Aito M9, and Li Auto Mega have all been traded at a premium. It’s a market where the order confirmation itself, not the physical car, becomes a valuable, tradable asset.
What Makes the Zeekr 9X Worth the Premium?
The Zeekr 9X isn’t just another SUV. It’s a technical powerhouse, which helps explain the desperation to get one. Launched in September 2025, it comes in Max, Ultra, and Hyper trims with official pricing from 465,900 to 599,900 yuan ($66,000 to $84,900).
At its core is a cutting-edge 900-volt plug-in hybrid system, fed by either a 55 kWh or 70 kWh battery pack. The top-tier Hyper trim is the main event, delivering a jaw-dropping 1,030 kW, which translates to a staggering 1,381 horsepower. That’s enough to launch this full-size SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in a supercar-like 3.1 seconds. To top it off, it boasts a combined CLTC range of up to 1,250 km, making it as practical as it is potent.
| Metric | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) | ~3.1 | s | Hyper trim |
| Peak power | 1,030 | kW | Approx. 1,381 hp (Hyper trim) |
| Range (CLTC) | up to 1,250 | km | Combined PHEV range |
| Battery capacity | 55 / 70 | kWh | Depending on trim |
| Starting price (local market) | ¥465,900 | CNY | Approx. 66,000 USD |
| Scalper Markup | 50,000 to 120,000 | CNY | Approx. $7,100 to $17,000 USD |
A Temporary Imbalance
While Zeekr’s customer agreements formally restrict order transfers, the practice continues openly. Resale premiums range from 50,000 to 120,000 yuan ($7,100 to $17,000), with the Hyper trim commanding the highest prices. The phenomenon isn’t just domestic. Some pre-orders have been snapped up by overseas buyers and exported through Chinese ports, with markups reportedly ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 yuan ($7,100 to $14,200).
Industry analysts believe this scalper’s paradise won’t last forever. The premiums are a direct result of the mismatch between explosive initial demand and the realities of early-stage production. As parent company Geely ramps up manufacturing and delivery times shorten, the price gap between official orders and resale listings should narrow. For now, the Zeekr 9X remains one of the hottest tickets in the Chinese auto market, and some are willing to pay a hefty price to jump the queue.
