Xpeng unveils new X9, aims to sell MPV in Europe from July, CEO says
Chinese premium electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng introduced the latest version of its X9 multipurpose vehicle for the local market and aimed to launch it in Europe from July as part of its drive to quadruple its sales in export markets.
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The all-electric seven-seater vehicle will enter the mainland market with a starting price of 359,800 yuan (US$49,200), equipped with autonomous driving capabilities powered by its own
artificial intelligence (AI) chip . Xpeng plans to take orders in Europe from the second half of this year, without disclosing the price.
'I believe more Chinese brands will enter the global market in the future,' founder and CEO He Xiaopeng said at its Global Brand Night event in Hong Kong on Tuesday. 'This is a responsibility and a belief.'
The X9 is aimed at Toyota Motor's Alphard, an oil-guzzling multipurpose vehicle that starts from about HK$800,000. Xpeng delivered 21,141 units of X9 last year on the mainland, while Toyota sold 16,701 Alphards, according to market data.
Xpeng aims to start selling the new X9 in Europe from the second half of this year. Photo: Sun Yeung
Xpeng has a presence in more than 30 countries and regions and derived 13 per cent of its sales volume last year from overseas markets, according to its latest financial report. Despite the latest tariff turmoil, He said he remained focused on growing the ratio to 50 per cent from 60 countries and regions over the next decade.
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