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Electric cars: Xpeng aims to launch its first right-hand drive model in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia this year amid global push

  • It will give Xpeng a cushion against a potential sales drop at home, where a price war is hurting the profitability of nearly all EV makers
  • Guangzhou-based carmaker’s goal is to make ‘best-in-class smart electric cars accessible to customers around the world,’ says CEO He Xiaopeng

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Xpeng currently assembles only left-hand drive vehicles, most of which are sold in mainland China. Photo: Reuters
Daniel Renin ShanghaiandMia Nulimaimaitiin Hong Kong
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng plans to launch its first right-hand drive model in the second half of this year as it accelerates its push to go global, targeting markets such as Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
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He Xiaopeng, co-founder and CEO of the Guangzhou-based carmaker, said Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia would be targeted as Xpeng, part-owned by Volkswagen Group, looks to hone its international image as a leading builder of intelligent EVs.

“In tandem with Xpeng’s go-global 2.0 strategy, we have formed partnerships with an increasing number of capable dealers abroad, with an ultimate goal of making best-in-class smart electric cars accessible to customers around the world,” he said in a written reply to questions from the Post.

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Deliveries of a right-hand drive car outside mainland China will provide Xpeng with a cushion against a potential sales drop at home, where a price war is hurting the profitability of nearly every player, from BYD to General Motors.

The CEO said Xpeng would also be looking to make inroads into key European markets like Germany and France with its left-hand drive models. A delegate to the National People’s Congress, He made the remarks during the annual session of the top legislature, which ended in Beijing on Monday.

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