** Shares of Geely Automobile 0175.HK rise 2.9% to HK$18.76, their highest since May 26, and on course for a third straight session of gains
** Geely Automobile will take its premium electric vehicle unit Zeekr ZK.N private at a $6.83 billion valuation, as the Chinese automaker streamlines its business and sharpens its competitive edge
** Geely already owns about 62.8% of Zeekr and will acquire the remaining stake it does not already own for $26.87 per American depositary share
** Geely, which initially offered $2.2 billion in May, boosts buyout to around $2.4 billion
** Zeekr shares rose 2.4% on Tuesday
** The Hang Seng Automobile Index .HSAMI adds 0.6% while the Hang Seng Index .HSI rises 1.01%
** YTD, Geely stock up 25.4%
(Reporting by Donny Kwok)
((donny.kwok@thomsonreuters.com))