Xpeng: A information to every little thing you want to know

Our collection on model overviews continues, and once more with one other Chinese language newcomer.

This time, it’s Xpeng, which holds the distinctive distinction of being a completely privately owned firm targeted solely on electrical automobiles (EVs).

It has high-profile executives and monetary backing from a number of worldwide companies, and it’s worldwide growth is comparatively recent regardless of having existed since 2014.

Even then, it solely launched in Europe in 2021 and didn’t arrive in Australia till late 2024. Its timeline isn’t that completely different from fellow Chinese language producer BYD, however Xpeng has but to show whether or not it will possibly obtain the identical gross sales prowess domestically.

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It’s nonetheless too early to foretell too, as there’s just one Xpeng automotive at the moment on sale right here. As ever, it’s a direct rival to electrical SUVs just like the Tesla Mannequin Y.

Xpeng, or not less than its Australian importer and distributor TrueEV, has already outlined robust ambitions in rising its native seller community, which might pave the way in which for better gross sales and additional Xpeng fashions to make the trek Down Underneath.

Have you ever seen one or two brightly colored, softly styled SUVs and undecided what it was? It might have been an Xpeng, so right here’s every little thing you want to learn about one in every of Australia’s latest manufacturers.

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What’s Xpeng?

Xpeng Motors is an EV producer headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Based in 2014, the corporate additionally has places of work in Mountain View, California, and Munich, Germany.

Its was based by Xia Heng and He Tao, each former senior executives at fellow Chinese language automaker GAC Group. It was additionally backed by former Alibaba government He Xiaopeng (the model’s namesake and present chairman, CEO) and Lei Jun, founding father of Chinese language cellphone maker Xiaomi.

Xpeng Motors is called 小鹏汽车 in Chinese language, which in pinyin is xiǎopéng qìchē. It wasn’t till November 2018 that the corporate started manufacturing of its first car, the G3 SUV.

That car was launched the subsequent month and was quickly adopted by the premiere of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class-sized P7 sedan in April 2019. The P7 went on sale in China in June 2020, at which level Xpeng was attending to grips with mass manufacturing,

A problem confronted by each startup, notably in China, is mass manufacturing; and so most corporations select to accomplice with a extra established agency, or not less than sub-contract manufacturing to kickstart their efforts.

Xpeng was no exception to this method in its early years, although it acquired a manufacturing license from the Chinese language authorities within the early 2020s that allowed it to shift efforts to its then-only manufacturing facility within the metropolis of Zhaoqing.

The P5 compact sedan and G9 massive SUV had been launched in 2021, although the previous ended manufacturing in 2024. The P5 was smaller than the P7 however extra technologically superior, that includes twin LiDAR sensors, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and cameras that each one shaped a part of the model’s ‘Xpilot 3.5’ ADAS system.

The G9, in the meantime, remains to be in manufacturing. When it launched, it was Xpeng’s first product to be conceived and designed for each Chinese language and worldwide markets.

In the identical 12 months these automobiles launched, Xpeng started exporting its P7 sedan to abroad markets, the primary being Norway.

Beginning in 2019, the Xpeng firm acquired vital funding. Between November 2019 and late 2021, Xpeng grew in funding from varied worldwide buyers, in addition to Chinese language ones like Alibaba Group.

This allowed the corporate to develop its manufacturing capabilities, starting development on a second plant in Guangzhou and asserting plans for a 3rd in Wuhan. The completion of the second manufacturing unit alone unlocked an estimated annual manufacturing capability of as much as 200,000 automobiles.

2021 additionally noticed Xpeng subsidiary AeroHT announce funding to design and develop a flying automotive, which culminated within the X2 electrical vertical take-off and touchdown (eVTOL) car that launched in late 2024. AeroHT additionally has an X1 eVTOL, and the Land Provider – a 6×6 range-extender electrical eVTOL car provider.

In 2023, Xpeng unveiled the G6 SUV, which might finally be the primary car the model would carry to Australia. Later within the 12 months, Xpeng partnered with European software program firm Entry to develop its in-car infotainment programs.

The X9 folks mover additionally entered manufacturing in 2023, at an identical time to Volkswagen Group asserting a US$700 million funding in Xpeng in return for a 4.99 per cent stake. This is able to permit the Group to collaborate with Xpeng in growing new Volkswagen-branded EVs for the Chinese language market.

Quickly after, Xpeng acquired the autonomous driving division of Beijing-based firm DiDi in change for US$744 million price of shares.

That is tied into Xpeng’s aforementioned Xpilot system, which includes a mixture of LiDAR, radar, and a digicam to supply the car with a complete picture of its environment to help the driving force.

Automobiles such because the G9 and X9 function this technique, which permits for some stage of autonomous driving. There’s additionally the P7+ sedan that launched in 2024, although it’s the primary car to function Xpeng’s LiDAR-less “imaginative and prescient solely” autonomous driving tech.

A bonus of Xpeng buying DiDi was that it acquired the Mona M03 five-door liftback, which was initially developed by DiDi. The unique plans had been for this car to be the primary as a part of DiDi’s personal finances EV model and had even been spied testing, although it grew to become an Xpeng mannequin when DiDi bought its accountable division.

Different applied sciences featured in Xpeng automobiles embody CATL batteries, developed by China’s largest battery developer.

Xpeng additionally has an enormous community of charging infrastructure in China, with which it provides free charging to its clients – very similar to Tesla did. In line with Xpeng’s web site, the corporate has 772 branded supercharging stations, 1870 free charging stations, and 319 cities with free charging entry.

That’s along with roughly 200,000 third-party stations in China’s main cities, and Xpeng continues to develop its supercharging community in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

In late 2024, Xpeng unveiled an AI humanoid robotic often known as Iron. The robotic kickstarted Xpeng’s ambitions in robotics, and Xpeng stated such know-how has been integrated into the corporate’s manufacturing traces – bodily, it’s not too completely different to what Tesla confirmed off final 12 months.

Xpeng introduced Iron at its AI Day, at which it additionally confirmed off its new AIOS system for “in-car AI interactions” and its Turing AI Clever Driving System for Degree 4 autonomous driving – thought of “totally autonomous driving”.

At across the similar time, Xpeng started promoting automobiles in Australia. The primary mannequin on sale was the G6 SUV, a completely electrical mannequin that arrived in two variants. It’s one in every of many Chinese language fashions competing instantly with the Tesla Mannequin Y, which has lengthy been Australia’s best-selling EV.

Like many different Xpeng fashions, the G6 is obtainable abroad with an much more superior driver help system than what is obtainable with Australian fashions.

Known as XNGP, the system contains 31 sensors together with two LiDAR sensors, 5 radar sensors, 11 cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors.

The G6 was developed with export markets in thoughts and went on sale in China in June 2023. In line with Chinese language stories, Xpeng’s gross sales reached 190,068 models in 2024, up from 141,601 in 2023.

Xpeng has additionally confronted some controversy. In 2018, an ex-Apple worker was charged for stealing commerce secrets and techniques from the US-based tech firm, primarily relating to its autonomous automotive mission, to attempt to get a job at Xpeng. The ex-employee pleaded responsible to commerce secret theft in 2022.

Tesla sued an ex-employee in 2019 and accused him of stealing its Autopilot supply code and bringing it to Xpeng. Regardless of not being a celebration to Tesla’s unique lawsuit, Xpeng subsequently launched an inner investigation and utilised a impartial third get together to check its code towards Tesla’s.

It was proved that nothing was copied, and Tesla and its ex-employee moved to settle quickly after.

In 2021, Xpeng was fined 100,000 yuan for illegally amassing the facial knowledge of 430,000 individuals who had visited its shops.

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What are you able to at the moment purchase from Xpeng in Australia?

There’s just one Xpeng car at the moment on sale in Australia.

Xpeng is one in every of a handful of manufacturers which have but to report gross sales figures to VFACTS, and we due to this fact don’t know precisely how properly the G6 is performing since its launch on the finish of 2024.

Two variants can be found, designated as Normal Vary and Lengthy Vary variations, although each have the identical single-motor, rear-wheel drive setup.

The Normal Vary is fitted with a 66kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a claimed vary of 435km on the WLTP cycle. Outputs are quoted at 190kW of energy and 440Nm of torque.

The Lengthy Vary has a unique 87.5kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NMC) battery pack with a driving vary of 570km on the WLTP cycle. Energy is boosted to 210kW, whereas torque is unchanged.

Xpeng has additionally simply rolled out a software program replace for the G6 aimed toward refining the car’s superior driver help programs.

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Which manufacturers does Xpeng compete towards in Australia?

As is the case with many different new Chinese language manufacturers, Xpeng is competing with its compatriots and, naturally, the EV segment-leading Tesla Mannequin Y.

Prime Chinese language rivals embody Leapmotor, Geely, and particularly Deepal. Leapmotor sells the C10 EV in Australia for $45,888-$49,888 earlier than on-roads relying on variant, although it has a shorter claimed WLTP driving vary.

Geely’s EX5 is significantly cheaper than the G6 at both $40,990 or $44,990 drive-away, relying on the variant. Claimed vary lags although, because the furthest-travelling variant can supposedly handle 430km on the WLTP cycle.

The Deepal S07, in the meantime, is the closest match to the G6 at $53,900 earlier than on-roads and has an identical claimed WLTP vary of 475km.

There’s additionally BYD, which is greatest matched with its Sealion 7, that has joined an already-established lineup in Australia. It’s on par with the G6 at both $54,990 or $63,990 earlier than on-roads and has a claimed WLTP vary of as much as 482km, falling in need of the G6 Lengthy Vary’s declare.

The Tesla Mannequin Y has been the electrical SUV chief in Australia and world wide for some time, and although it’s quickly getting an replace, the outgoing mannequin remains to be price a point out. It prices between $55,900 and $82,900 earlier than on-roads and may supposedly journey so far as 533km on the WLTP cycle.

Its upcoming replace can be equally priced to the G6, ranging from $58,900 in its most reasonably priced kind. It’ll have a claimed driving vary of 466-551km on the WLTP cycle, relying on the variant.

There’s Volkswagen’s new ID.4 and ID.5 SUVs too, however the ID.4 is a better rival based mostly on its beginning value of $59,990 earlier than on-roads and its rear-wheel drive setup. A comparability will also be drawn with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, although that’s significantly costlier.

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How well-liked is Xpeng in Australia?

As we don’t have particular gross sales figures for Xpeng in Australia, it’s arduous to know.

What we do know is that the model’s native distributor, TrueEV, plans to open not less than 20 extra gross sales, supply and servicing areas throughout Australia by the tip of 2025.

As is the case with each new model, these efforts level to a need to develop the Xpeng model quickly in Australia, and a bodily presence is a perfect solution to obtain that. The distinction between Xpeng and different manufacturers like Deepal and Zeekr nonetheless, is that Xpeng is an unbiased firm with out the backing of an overarching Chinese language large.

Even TrueEV itself has stated that not each new Chinese language model will survive in Australia, making the early days of Xpeng’s native operation critically essential.

For context, listed here are the gross sales figures for its direct rivals thus far in 2025:

• Tesla Mannequin Y: 3114
• BYD Sealion 7: 730
• Geely EX5: 188
• Leapmotor C10: 138

Deepal has but to report gross sales figures, and the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 have solely simply launched.

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What’s subsequent for Xpeng?

As talked about, probably the most concrete plans for Australia which were outlined by Xpeng are relating to its retailer growth.

There can be not less than 20 new Xpeng areas opened in Australia by the tip of 2025, which incorporates a number of so-called strategic areas.

Xpeng has an inventory of areas on its Australian web site, which incorporates plans for the CBDs of Brisbane and Adelaide, and protection throughout all states and territories – together with in Darwin.

These areas are operated by importer and distributor TrueEV, and so they’ve been “strategically positioned” websites “to supply most accessibility”.

By way of automobiles, Xpeng at the moment solely has the G6 medium SUV on sale right here, however the firm additionally lists the G9 massive SUV and X9 folks mover on its web site.

It’s additionally beforehand confirmed it’s trying to carry the P7 Plus sedan and Mona M03 liftback to Australia.

Within the context of latest Chinese language manufacturers coming to Australia, TrueEV appears assured that Xpeng will survive. That doesn’t imply there gained’t be any threat although, as confirmed by TrueEV CEO Jason Clarke late final 12 months.

“Our world CEO says there’s at the moment about 200 EV manufacturers in China, and he believes solely seven of them will survive,” Mr Clarke stated.

“Completely [it will be the same story in Australia]. Even the legacy manufacturers are going to search out it powerful.

“We’re very cautious with our demand and our ordering, to ensure we’re not over-ordering and that we will meet buyer demand. I’m not fearful, and we’re not strictly competing on value – we would like our model to talk for itself.”

Xpeng’s method in Australia is completely different to that of its rivals. Deepal is leaning on a longtime seller community of its Australian distributor, Inchcape, whereas Leapmotor is leaning on the Stellantis seller community.

“The entire seller spiel of ‘simply give me a minute and I’ll communicate with my supervisor’ – we’re executed with that,” Mr Clarke stated.

“We’ll be doing drive dwelling check drives the place you land at Sydney Airport and get an Xpeng to drive you again, so a check drive valet service. We’re attempting to achieve our viewers another way and even work together in another way by means of social media.

“It’s going to be like a grocery store chain, the place there’s no scarcity of assortment of breakfast cereal. It’s as much as us to market the options and the know-how, and the actual fact we’re a life-style model.”

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