On July 20, ZEEKR issued an official statement on its Weibo account, responding to recent online reports regarding so-called “0-kilometer used cars.”
According to the company, the vehicles mentioned in online discussions were in fact display cars available for normal retail sale. For safety during exhibitions, these cars are insured with compulsory traffic insurance, but they have never been invoiced, registered, or licensed as new cars. Legally, they remain brand-new, unregistered vehicles. ZEEKR added that display cars typically have a storage age of 3–5 months and are sold at discounted prices based on their display history or age. Buyers still enjoy all rights as the first owner of a new car. The company stressed that this sales model is a standard commercial practice for NEV display cars and fundamentally different from second-hand car transactions.
The controversy was triggered by a July 18 article in China Securities Journal titled “‘0-Kilometer Used Cars’ Create False Prosperity, ZEEKR’s Corporate Sales Under Scrutiny.” The article drew widespread attention online.
Industry insiders explained that “0-kilometer used cars” generally refer to vehicles that have been registered and plated but barely driven, often sold at prices well below new cars. These cases typically occur when automakers pre-register cars to boost sales figures, when large corporate buyers immediately resell fleets, or when dealers register unsold inventory as used cars to ease stock and cash flow pressure.
Great Wall Motor Chairman Wei Jianjun has also commented publicly, calling “0-kilometer used cars” an industry anomaly, noting that many dealers sell such vehicles after registration without genuine consumer sales.
ZEEKR emphasized that it places consumer transparency and rights as top priorities. Vehicle type and production date are clearly marked on the order page of its official app, with an additional pop-up reminder before purchase. The company reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance toward practices that harm consumer rights and has set up a special task force to investigate and improve any irregularities at the retail level.
Ultimately, while “0-kilometer used cars” may temporarily boost sales, ZEEKR stressed that its own discounted display-car sales are transparent and legitimate, ensuring buyers retain full ownership benefits as first-hand new car owners.
