One other Chinese language EV model is about to reach in Malaysia quickly, and it’s Xpeng. The Guangzhou-based firm’s co-founder and CEO He Xiaopeng stated that Xpeng will launch its first right-hand drive mannequin within the second half of this yr because it expands past its dwelling market.

RHD markets which are in Xpeng’s sights are Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Within the latter, He stated Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia could be focused by the carmaker, of which the Volkswagen Group owns 5%.

“In tandem with Xpeng’s go-global 2.0 technique, we’ve shaped partnerships with an rising variety of succesful sellers overseas, with an final purpose of constructing best-in-class good electrical vehicles accessible to prospects all over the world,” stated He in a written reply to questions from the South China Morning Publish.

Xpeng at the moment makes solely left-hand drive vehicles, and most of these are offered in mainland China. Apart from Hong Kong (RHD is a British legacy) and ASEAN, the agency has plans to enter key European markets.

Based on SCMP’s report, increasing into RHD markets will present Xpeng with a cushion in opposition to a possible gross sales decline in China, the place an EV worth conflict is damaging the profitability of just about all gamers.

Earlier this month, Xpeng introduced that it was extending a 20,000 yuan (RM13,047) low cost on its G6 SUV till the top of the month, following BYD’s February transfer to cost the newest Qin Plus DM-i PHEV 20% under the ­earlier version. The next day, three different carmakers priced their best-selling EVs under the 100k yuan (RM65,239) mark to compete. A race to the underside? That’s why Chinese language carmakers need to now look past their home market.

As for which Xpeng mannequin shall be coming to our shores, firm’s president Brian Gu advised SCMP final yr that its first right-hand drive automotive could be an up to date version of the bestselling G6 SUV. He added that it might most likely attain Hong Kong in late-2024. If ASEAN’s RHD markets together with Malaysia are subsequent, are we then an entry by Xpeng in 2025?

In China, the G6 is priced from 209,900 to 276,900 yuan (RM136,933 to RM180,642). Constructed on an 800V structure, the rear-wheel drive variant of the G6 has a 296 PS/440 Nm motor whereas the all-wheel drive variant will get two motors with a complete system output of 487 PS and 660 Nm.

Two battery packs can be found – a 66-kWh LFP unit for RWD fashions (CLTC vary 580 km) and a 87.5-kWh NMC that’s good for 755 km (single-motor) or 700 km (dual-motor) of CLTC vary. The max fee for DC quick charging is 480 kW. Try the G6 under – what do you consider the crossover’s natural appears and EV bundle? And can Bermaz be Xpeng’s native accomplice? Full story right here.

GALLERY: 2023 Xpeng G6

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