Change is life and not something to be shunned, so it will be interesting to observe and see if the industry's established order will shudder all the more upon laying eyes on XPENG - or take it in their stride.
Anyway, X, who? We hear you ask. Well, XPENG likes capital letters, so we shall, too, writes Tim Barnes-Clay. It is a Chinese high-tech automaker with global ambitions. It has been sniffing around the British Isles for a while - and now the time is clearly right because the brand has officially launched in the UK. How do we know? Don't be daft; we haven't just heard that XPENG is here. We set off (no, not virtually), rolled off our backsides, and made a dash for London to witness the ushering in of the marque. It wasn't just any part of London; the launch party was at Old Billingsgate, a massive event space with great views over Tower Bridge. Yes, XPENG chose to launch in this country in a high-end location.
So, what was on show? The focus was on the XPENG G6, a super-smart, all-electric mid-size coupe SUV. The company has already started pre-sales for its first right-hand drive model.
On arrival at the event, Dr. Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPENG, told us more. "Our launch in the UK, in partnership with International Motors Ltd (IML), marks a significant step in XPENG’s European and global expansion. We are excited to bring a new era of smarter, more sustainable mobility to the UK market and globally. With XPENG's cutting-edge proprietary technology - from futuristic design and impressive range to ultra-fast charging - we are confident that our vehicles will resonate with UK consumers, offering exceptional quality, innovation, and an outstanding driving experience."
So, it’s clear that the UK is an essential milestone in XPENG's globalisation drive. But that should come as no surprise to us. After all, last year, we, the UK, became the largest EV market in Europe, and the UK is one of the most significant right-hand-drive markets in the world.
The push of the XPENG brand will come with the assistance of International Motors - or IML - the company Dr. Brian Gu mentioned earlier. At the event, we learned that the Solihull-based importer has nearly half a century of vehicle distribution experience. XPENG and IML plan to open 20 dealerships nationwide this year, building on a strong on-the-ground presence and an improved customer service network.
William Brown, Managing Director of IML, UK, explained how thrilled IML is to team up with XPENG. “We take great pride in partnering with an innovative brand like XPENG. Together, we are committed to shaping the future of electric mobility by providing market-leading vehicles and services. And we can’t wait to start our exciting journey with XPENG.”
At the London-based launch, XPENG displayed a stunning collection of cars, which offered a look into what the future holds for smart, multi-dimension mobility. They included the P7+, the world's first AI-specified car, the above-mentioned G6, the ultra-intelligent flagship SUV of the company, the G9, and the X9, a spacious seven-seater. Also displayed was a Bond-like flying car – the eVTOL X2. Crazy? Apparently not. The X2 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is an actual flying car that has performed test flights and public flights.
Alongside its UK launch, XPENG announced that pre-bookings are now open for the G6 we keep mentioning. Launch prices for the electric SUV start from £39,990, with first deliveries in March this year.
The XPENG G6 is a Tesla Model Y rival, featuring innovative technology and - obviously - zero tailpipe emissions. Its advanced tech promises 800-volt supercharging and a driving range of up to 354 miles. Its future-proof operating systems and luxury features will apparently ensure a silky-smooth, seamless driving experience that sets the new benchmark in electric mobility for UK drivers. Time will tell!
XPENG is far more than marketing bluster and showboating, though. Founded in 2014, it’s among the world's fastest-growing high-tech electric vehicle manufacturers. More than 620,000 Smart EVs have already been sold to customers worldwide. Indeed, since it entered the Norwegian market in Europe in 2021, it has introduced revolutionary technologies and solutions that, as well as Norway, are currently available in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Iceland, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, now the UK, and beyond.
What’s more, XPENG has very recently established strategic partnerships with world industry leaders Volkswagen and BP Pulse to build a super-fast charging network and cooperate on future projects. This is yet another indication of XPENG's technology and vision to transform the mobility experience globally.
One thing's sure: with AI-driven innovations, XPENG seems dedicated to providing an intuitive, easy, safe, and highly personalised driving experience. By the close of this year, the firm will have coverage in more than 60 nations and regions. So forget being Chinese car-ed out - it looks like you may not have a choice - and the established automakers now have another challenger snapping at their heels. Oh well, competition is the fuel that ignites innovation, after all!
