We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Automotive Stocks to Invest in According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (NYSE:ZK) stands against the other automotive stocks.
The automotive sector is navigating a complex and uncertain landscape, shaped by economic volatility, regulatory shifts, and evolving consumer demand. One of the biggest concerns recently has been the proposed 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, which triggered a strong response from MEMA, a leading vehicle suppliers trade association. MEMA warned that such tariffs could jeopardize thousands of American jobs, raise costs for consumers, and disrupt the highly integrated North American supply chain, which is essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the global auto market. While a temporary agreement to delay these tariffs provides some relief, uncertainty remains, especially as new challenges emerge, including the halt in funding for the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This funding pause could slow the country’s transition to EVs by limiting the expansion of charging networks and reducing incentives for adoption.
Fitch Ratings, in a report published in December, assigned a ‘neutral’ outlook to the industry, expecting 2% growth in global light vehicle sales. Pricing pressure is likely to rise as competition in the EV segment intensifies, while inflation may shift consumer preferences toward more affordable vehicles. That said, they expect interest rate cuts could support stronger vehicle demand, and automakers’ strategic diversification into EVs, autonomous tech, and digital mobility solutions remains a key growth driver.
Demand expected to remain healthy
Despite the headwinds, the automotive industry remains on a path of steady growth. MarketsandMarkets’ ‘Global Automotive Outlook-2025’ projects global light vehicle sales to grow 1.3% in 2025, reaching 85.1 million units. This growth will be fuelled by rising EV and hybrid adoption, advancements in battery technology, and the expansion of autonomous and connected vehicle initiatives. Automakers are also pushing for wider commercialization of self-driving technology, 5G connectivity in vehicles, and digital car sales platforms, shaping the industry’s future. The report further elaborates that China continues to dominate the global automotive market, accounting for over 26 million light vehicle sales in 2024, nearly 50% of the global total. The country also leads EV battery production, manufacturing over 50% of the world’s EV batteries and controlling 75% of key battery components. With a growing number of high-net-worth individuals in Asia-Pacific, the region is expected to drive market expansion in 2025, particularly in premium and EV segments.
In an article published on Forbes on January 13, 2025, Sarwant Singh, President and Chief Commercial Officer at MarketsandMarkets, highlighted some predictions made by his team for the automotive industry. One of their predictions is that EV growth will slow down due to specific policy changes making electric cars less affordable for many consumers. To counteract this, the team expects hybrid vehicle sales to increase substantially, as these vehicles combine the efficiency of electric power with the reliability of traditional engines. Additionally, software-defined vehicles (SDVs), where critical functions like steering, braking, and infotainment are managed by software, are projected to experience rapid growth over the next few years.
From an investment standpoint, the sector presents both risks and opportunities. While macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties persist, the industry’s long-term potential remains strong, making it an attractive space for investment despite near-term risks. On that note, let us explore the 12 best automotive stocks to invest in according to analysts.
Our Methodology
To identify the 12 best automotive stocks to invest in according to analysts, we compiled a list of U.S.-listed companies in the auto manufacturing and auto parts sectors with market capitalizations exceeding $2 billion. While we considered promising companies from both industries, we gave preference to pure-play auto manufacturers. We then ranked these companies based on their potential upside, placing the stock with the highest upside at the top. Additionally, we included the number of hedge funds holding stakes in these companies as of Q3 2024.
Note: All pricing data is as of market close on February 14.
At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A fleet of electric vehicles lined up in uniform, highlighting the convenience of the company’s transportation solutions.
ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (NYSE:ZK)
Upside Potential: 39%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 9
ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (NYSE:ZK) is a premium electric mobility technology brand under China’s Geely Holding Group, focusing on high-performance electric vehicles. Its flagship models, the ZEEKR 001 and 7X, feature advanced technology, long-range batteries, and a luxurious smart cockpit. ZEEKR focuses on connectivity, autonomous driving, and high-speed charging solutions to broaden its global portfolio of cutting-edge electric mobility offerings.
ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (NYSE:ZK) reported vehicle deliveries of 11,942 units for January 2025, bringing cumulative deliveries to 430,698 as of the end of January. For the full year 2024, the company achieved total deliveries of 222,123 vehicles, reflecting a robust 87% growth compared to the previous year. For 2025, the company has set a target of 320,000 vehicle deliveries. It has a strong launch portfolio for 2025, including the recent launch of the Zeekr 7X, an all-electric midsize software-defined SUV, in Europe. ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (NYSE:ZK) has an ambitious global roll-out plan over the next five years to capitalize on the rapidly expanding global EV demand. These new product launches should expand its breadth in the market and thus lead to share gains.
ZEEKR Intelligent Technology Holding Limited (NYSE:ZK) is a consensus buy, with all analysts covering it giving a Buy recommendation. In October, China International Capital Corporation (CICC) initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and a $31.74 price target. Before that, Bank of America reiterated their Buy rating in August with a $26 price target.
Overall ZK ranks 3rd on our list of the best automotive stocks to invest in according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of ZK as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ZK but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and Complete List of 59 AI Companies Under $2 Billion in Market Cap.
Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
