China's Xpeng Motors, which already sells its EVs in Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark, is to expand across Europe in the second half of 2024 in Spain, Portugal and the UK. It is now actively considering setting up a European manufacturing facility.
25 Sep 2024 | 8143 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
China's Xpeng Motors, a leading AI mobility company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets premium and accessible intelligent mobility, has showcased its latest innovations at a brand showcase and conference in Stockholm, Sweden. This company presentation, displayed through the electric G6 SUV, can be seen as an Xpeng's effort to ...
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China's Xpeng Motors, a leading AI mobility company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets premium and accessible intelligent mobility, has showcased its latest innovations at a brand showcase and conference in Stockholm, Sweden. This company presentation, displayed through the electric G6 SUV, can be seen as an Xpeng's effort to advance in the strategic European market
The Chinese electric G6 SUV with a 469-mile / 750-kilometre range is already sold in Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. The G6 is the first model to be based on Xpeng's new SEPA 2.0 electric car platform. It brings a series of new developments over the structure that underpins earlier Xpeng Motors models, including a new 800V electrical architecture supporting DC charging at up to 480kW.
Demonstrating the ground-breaking technologies available now to Xpeng customers, the latest G6 midsize SUV was summoned autonomously to the stage and was told to park in the middle of the theatre.
Xpeng will continue its expansion across Europe in the second half of the year, launching in key markets such as Spain, Portugal and the UK. In Sweden, the rapid expansion of the dealer network continues, going from two sales outlets to 10 within a year in key Swedish cities and furthermore, Xpeng plans to open another 10 sales outlets by the end of the year.
According to the company, its flagship G9 SUV, which offers a high level of comfort, generous space, long range and super-fast charging capacity, has been well received in the market. In the year to date from August, the G9 is amongst the top 10 in the segment for the most sold large SUVs in Sweden.
A key feature of Xpeng’s operation in Europe is its relationship to customers, with over the air (OTA) vehicle updates being rolled out across the key markets of Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. The key to the success of the OTA updates is continuous improvement, being led by the company’s 15,000 R&D engineers, but also the ability for customers to feedback on the updates and request improvements of their own. So far in Europe, more than 80% of these customers requested improvements have been addressed via OTA updates.
Speaking at the event, an Xpeng G9 customer, Hans Jonsson, said: “As customers, we feel very much a part of the Xpeng family and team. To participate in the global Pioneer programme, co-develop the product and to actually experience the result based on customer feedback is remarkable. To my knowledge, never before have such a proportion of a car brand’s customer base been involved in the enhancements and updates to the product.”
A European manufacturing facility likely in the offing
A focus for the event was Xpeng’s commitment to Europe, incorporating its price promise for the region, a growing retail network, expansion into new countries, sales growth, and possible local manufacturing.
General Manager for Northern Europe, Elvis Cheng, said: “At Xpeng, we leverage cutting-edge innovation to create intelligent vehicles that don’t just transport people, they enhance their lives. We push the boundaries of what is possible, we have succeeded in creating smart, connected and autonomous vehicles that seamlessly integrate into the fabric of modern life. We see a future where your vehicle is a smart companion, capable of understanding your preferences, learning from your habits and even driving itself when you choose. The future we’re building is one where mobility is effortless, intelligent and deeply personalised. Our mission is to offer premium, intelligent EVs for everyone.”
Xpeng’s Executive Manager for Northern Europe, Jens Olsen, added: “An EV manufacturing base is under consideration, bringing investment, jobs and business across the region. Europe’s global strategic importance to us, and our success here, means we are accelerating our plans in the region. Thanks to all our partners and supporters for making our decisions to commit, invest, protect and support the market, easy to make.”
Other key features of the current and future Xpeng product line-up include:
Tianji X – the world’s first in-car operating system to comprehensively apply AI technology to both smart driving and smart cockpit.
XPilot – 29 sensors and cameras ensure an enhanced driving experience that simultaneously monitors the car and assists the driver to avoid dangerous situations.
XPlanner – a human-like cerebellum, which continually trains vast amounts of data, to make driving strategies increasingly human-like. A system that reduces driving jerks by 50%, improper stops by 40%, and passive human takeovers by 60%, to enhance user comfort and safety.
XBrain – an autonomous driving system that gains human-like learning and comprehension capabilities, significantly improving handling of complex and even unknown scenarios as well as its reasoning and understanding of real-world logic.
AI Chauffeur – incorporating AI Bodyguard, AI Parking - including the Summon function and remote parking.
Ultra-fast charging 800-volt architecture.
Xpeng Turing chip – an in-house, self-developed chip with a 40-core CPU to empower AI vehicles – using our proprietary ‘Hawkeye’ technology, as well as powering Robots and EVTOLs.
V2L (vehicle to load) enabling all manner of electronic devices to be powered by the vehicle, such as a laptop or coffee machine.
Camping Mode – A dedicated mode to allow occupants the ability to lay the seats down and create a flat environment with an inflatable airbed deployed.
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