- The X9 MPV is Xpeng's highest-priced and is seen as a strategic model to help boost gross margins.
- Xpeng had showcased the X9 in Hong Kong and Malaysia and plans to launch the MPV in Norway as well.
Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) today shipped 300 right-hand-drive X9 MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles) to Thailand, beginning efforts to bring its most expensive model to international markets.
The company celebrated the occasion at a ceremony held today in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, where it is headquartered, and said the X9 vehicles will be delivered to Thai owners immediately upon arrival.
Launched in China on January 1, 2024, the X9 is the flagship model under Xpeng's SEPA (Smart Electric Platform Architecture) 2.0 architecture.
The seven-seater MPV currently starts at RMB 359,800 ($49,620) in China, the highest-priced Xpeng model to date, and is seen as a strategic model that will help boost the company's gross margins.
For the full year 2024, the X9 delivered 21,653 units, contributing 11.39 percent of Xpeng's full-year deliveries of 190,068 units, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.
Xpeng announced a long-term strategic partnership with Thai dealer group Neo Mobility Asia at the 45th Bangkok International auto show on March 26, 2024, marking its official entry into the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) market.
Xpeng launched the right-hand drive version of the G6 SUV (sport utility vehicle) in Thailand at the end of August last year.
The X9 MPV, Xpeng's second model after the G6 to target both the left-hand drive and right-hand drive markets, was presented in Thailand in December last year.
Apart from Thailand, Xpeng had also showcased the X9 in Hong Kong, Malaysia and plans to launch the MPV in Norway as well.
"We are accelerating our global expansion with a series of initiatives to solidify our position as a key player in the international EV market," He Xiaopeng, Xpeng's chairman and CEO, said today.
In China, Xpeng is known for its strong smart driving capabilities, and the company plans to replicate that success overseas.
In 2026, Xpeng's Turing AI Intelligent Driving System will enter the global adaptation phase, marking a major leap forward in intelligent driving technology, it said today.
Designed to adapt to different driving conditions, the Turing AI system will provide Xpeng with a cutting-edge intelligent driving experience in international markets, setting a new benchmark for safety, efficiency and innovation, the company said.
"As a leader in intelligent driving technology, we are thrilled to see that 'autonomous driving for all' has become a shared vision across the industry. We will continue pushing the boundaries of innovation to make smart driving accessible to everyone, everywhere," Mr. He said.
The company is pushing forward with software iterations for overseas vehicles to optimize user experience.
Xpeng has become the first Chinese automaker to roll out two major synchronized global OTA updates: OTA 5.2 in August 2024 and OTA 5.4 in January 2025, according to a press release.
Starting in 2025, Xpeng will enhance its OTA update capabilities for international users, it said.
Xpeng continues to provide an upgraded experience for international users by listening to user feedback, rapidly iterating on software, and through OTA upgrades and smart scenario feature rollouts, it said.
The EV maker plans to roll out its ultra-fast charging network globally, starting with Southeast Asia in 2025.
In the first half of this year, Xpeng will set up charging stations in markets including Hong Kong and Thailand. Next, Xpeng plans to expand its charging network to Asia, Europe and Australia.
Additionally, Xpeng will work closely with leading local charging operators to ensure a seamless charging experience, it said.
The company is also developing an overseas vehicle service network to make charging "more convenient, accessible, and swift" for users worldwide.
This comprehensive strategy aims to create a broader, faster and more cost-effective charging network, reinforcing Xpeng's commitment to supporting its global customer base, it said.
Xpeng began its efforts to expand internationally when it entered the Norwegian market in 2021.
The company had some headwinds overseas, including a significant slowdown in its work in international markets in the second half of 2022.
In February 2023, Xpeng resumed its efforts to establish a presence overseas with the launch of the G9 SUV and the new P7 sedan in Europe.
Last February 18 -- the first working day after the 2024 Chinese New Year holiday -- Mr. He said in an internal letter that 2024 would be the first year of V 2.0 for Xpeng's globalization efforts.
Today, Xpeng operates in more than 30 international markets. By the end of 2025, Xpeng aims to cover 60 countries and regions and establish more than 300 global service locations.
($1 = RMB 7.2513)
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