Update: Introduction, ‘Xpeng Motors enters Sweden’ and ‘Xpeng Motors Netherlands launch’ sections updated‘ and ‘Xpeng P5 in other European countries’ and ‘Xpeng P5 European specs’ sections added.
In October 2021, Xpeng Motors gave thrust to its overseas operations, launching the P7 in Norway, its first overseas market, where it was riding on its sole offering, the G3. The company has now entered Sweden and Netherlands to boost exports, with the first retail outlet operational in both markets by March 2022.
He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of Xpeng, has said that the brand’s global journey begins from Europe. It is partnering with the most prominent local players to boost energy conservation and electrification in European countries.
Xpeng Motors enters Sweden
Xpeng Motors has opened an Xpeng Experience Store as its first retail location in Westfield Mall of Scandinavia in Stockholm, Sweden. Nordic region manager Elvis Cheng said that there’s no better place to reach many people in the country. The company will provide test drives of models at the location.
To establish its operations in Sweden, Xpeng will open its self-operated retail experience store by collaborating with Bilia, Sweden’s largest automobile dealer and distributor, according to the brand’s press release dated February 10, 2022. Bilia has 58 dealers and 66 service centers in Sweden. Initially, Xpeng will sell cars through Bilia stores in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo. Service operations will occur through Bilia’s service centers in the exact locations.
On March 10, 2022, Xpeng Motors started accepting reservations for the P5 in Sweden through its local website. The company expects to start deliveries in Q4 2022 (October-December 2022).
Xpeng Motors Netherlands launch
Xpeng has entered an agreement with Emil Frey Nederland NV to develop and expand the brand’s sales and service network in the Dutch market, states the brand’s press release dated February 10, 2022. The agency retail collaboration with Emil Frey is the first for Xpeng in Europe. The brand says that collaboration with one of Europe’s largest automobile retail organizations will help the Chinese startup establish a strong footprint in the west. Customers will benefit from consistent pricing and access to Emil Frey’s extensive sales and service network.
Dutch publication Autoweek suggested in December 2021 that operations would start with the P7, whereas the G3i and G9 could come later. However, now it seems like the P5 will be the first model.
Xpeng Motors has listed both P5 and P7 on its Dutch website, but it has begun accepting reservations only for the former. It estimates Q4 2022 (October-December 2022) to be the delivery commencement timeline.
Xpeng P5 in other European countries
The Xpeng P5 is available pre-order in Norway and Denmark, too. Xpeng Motors opened its reservations in these markets simultaneously with Sweden and the Netherlands. Moreover, the company has opened its second Experience Store in Europe in the Westfield Mall of the Netherlands in Leidschendam, a place close to Rotterdam and The Hague in the Netherlands. It has put up three models on display there: P5 sedan, P7 sedan, and X2 flying car.
Xpeng P5 European specs
| Aspect | Specification |
| Length/Width/Height | 4,808 mm/1,840 mm/1,520 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,768 mm |
| Tyre Size | 215/55R18 |
| Curb Weight | 1,715 kg |
| Cargo Space | 520 L |
| Drivetrain Layout | FWD |
| Battery Capacity | 66 kWh |
| Driving Range (WLTP) | 465 km (289 miles) |
| XPILOT 2.5 (ADAS) | Yes |
| High-definition Millimeter Wave Radar | 5 |
| Ultrasonic Wave Sensors | 12 |
| Autonomous Driving Surround View Camera | 4 |
| Autonomous Driving High Perception Camera | 9 |
| XPILOT Safety | Yes |
| XPILOT Driving | Yes |
| XPILOT Parking | Yes |
| Xmart OS In-car Intelligent System | Yes |
| 15.6″ Central Touch Screen Display | Yes |
| 12.3″ HD Liquid Crystal Intelligent Instrument Panel | Yes |
| Mobile App Remote Control | Yes |
| “Hey XPENG” Voice Assistant | Yes |
| FOTA Updates | Yes |
| Lightsaber 3.0 LED Lights | Yes |
| Lightsaber 3.0 LED DRL | Yes |
| Panoramic Sunroof | Yes |
Xpeng setting up new plants to expand its reach
Xpeng Motors currently builds EVs in Zhaoqing, China, but it is setting up two new domestic factories in Guangzhou and Wuhan. The annual production capacity will be more than 400,000 units when the new factories are up and running. With double-shift production at these plants, it will potentially roll out even up to 600,000 electric cars per year.
He Xiaopeng had said during the Q3 2021 earnings conference call that the company expects to deliver 34,500 to 36,500 units in Q4 2021. Total vehicle deliveries for 2021 hit 98,155 units, representing a 263 percent year-over-year improvement. The Chinese automaker is still far from achieving the high production levels its three factories will allow it, and scaling up exports to Europe could improve plant capacity utilization.
Xpeng Motors wants a good foundation for its international expansion in the software and hardware R&D development, data protection, team, organization structure revamp, and safety by 2022. “You would see us doing more restructuring and exploration in terms of our product, technology, and also our organization,” Xiaopeng said. “So sales right now is not our priority in the international market,” he added during the call.
Xpeng Motors may accelerate global expansion significantly from 2023 when more models are designed for international sales from the outset. The company has started conceiving and developing EVs that suit international markets, and the Xpeng G9 is the first example, which arrives later this year.
Featured image: Xpeng Motors
With a Master’s Degree in Business Management & Administration, I’ve been working as an International Automotive News Editor since 2014, and have gained a wealth of knowledge and insight into hybrid and electric vehicles.
