In early July, Mr. Luu, a 9X owner, began a road trip from China to Europe. This trip was considered the most rigorous real-world test for Zeekr's flagship SUV. However, issues arose immediately after he crossed the border into Kazakhstan, requiring the automaker's intervention to prevent further disruption to his journey.

Mr. Luu reported that as soon as he left Chinese territory, his 9X began to automatically lock several functions. The navigation system ceased operation, the front passenger's storage compartment was locked, and most inconveniently, the electric fuel cap remained unopenable for over 30 hours. Notably, Mr. Luu had serviced his car at an authorized dealership and informed them about his long journey, but no one warned him about these limitations.

Mr. Luu and his Zeekr 9X in Kazakhstan. *CarNewsChina*

Zeekr responded to the National Business Daily, stating that the SUV's security mechanism automatically activates once it detects the vehicle leaving China. At that point, the screen displays warnings and restricts certain functions to prevent theft or vehicle smuggling.

Zeekr affirmed that the powertrain and brakes remained operational, but users could not open the fuel cap or charging port using the standard electronic buttons. To open them manually, the driver must press and hold the hazard warning light button for about 5 seconds. For the charging port, users need to apply firm pressure directly to the cover. While not overly complex, the company admitted that few owners were aware of this trick.

Mr. Luu's issue was later resolved with a remote authentication code sent to the vehicle. However, according to CarNewsChina, owners might have to repeat this process each time they travel to a new country.

The Chinese automaker later apologized, stating that true safety "should not be unilaterally dictated by the manufacturer," and pledged to shift towards a philosophy of "user control, manufacturer protection."

Zeekr recently added a confirmation code generation feature to its mobile app, allowing owners to unlock functions themselves if they encounter similar issues. The company also promised to release an over-the-air (OTA) update that will include an option to disable the automatic locking feature when crossing borders, ensuring uninterrupted cross-country trips.

The luxury large SUV Zeekr 9X. *Nocarcontext*

Zeekr has expanded its business into many markets, including Europe. Versions distributed in these regions will likely remove geographical restrictions, aligning with the frequent international travel patterns of local users.

Off-road adventure travel is becoming a popular trend among Chinese drivers, and cross-border trips from China are expected to increase. Once an activity reserved for the wealthy and well-connected, off-road adventure travel is now more accessible to Chinese citizens due to social media and simplified border control procedures.

At the Khorgos dry port on the China-Kazakhstan border, the minimum fee for a temporary export permit for vehicles registered in China is 1,500 yuan (approximately 220 USD).

With document translation and international traffic insurance, Chinese off-road adventure enthusiasts can travel west to Russia and Europe, even crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa.

The latest Chinese new energy vehicles often emphasize an "outdoor" element, promising numerous camping features and a second home. However, their connected nature grants automakers unprecedented control over their products, for better or worse.

My Anh