Posted on 25 Sep 2024
Chinese premium EV maker Xpeng Motors said Tuesday that it is accelerating its sales expansion across Europe, while planning a new production base in the region.
Speaking at an event in Stockholm, the firm reiterated its “commitment” to Europe, despite the higher import tariffs environment. It said the upcoming new duties wouldn’t not affect its customers as its prices will be “protected” in the region.
In Sweden alone, the company plans to have 20 sales outlets by year-end. In the second half of the year, Xpeng will also launch in Portugal, the UK and Spain. Its BEVs are already available in Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden,Kallanish Power Materials notes.
“An EV manufacturing base is under consideration, bringing investment, jobs and business across the region,” says Jens Olsen, Northern Europe manager at Xpeng. “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.”
The Guangzhou-based company, founded in 2014, is marketing itself as a “leading AI mobility company.” With 15,000 R&D engineers and offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Silicon Valley and Amsterdam, Xpeng is working on a range of intelligent, autonomous products including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and robots.
During the event in Stockhom, demonstrated “ground-breaking technologies” with the latest G6 mid-size SUV summoned autonomously to the stage and told to park in the middle of the theatre. The vehicle, as well as the flagship G9 SUV, feature over-the-air software updates.
“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,” adds Elvis Cheng, general manager for Northern Europe.
The smart EVs are produced in Zhaoqing and Guangzhou, in China’s Guangdong province. It’s unclear where Xpeng is planning to locate its European manufacturing base.
Source:Kallanish Power Materials
