Xpeng expands autonomous driving system across China, in nation’s answer to Tesla’s FSD

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The new version of Xpeng’s X NGP software rolled out to compatible cars on Tuesday, while Tesla’s competitor awaits testing late in 2024

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Xpeng’s X NGP (Xpeng navigation guided pilot) advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) is now operational in all mainland China cities. Photo: Xpeng

Daniel Renin Shanghai

Published: 9:17am, 31 Jul 2024Updated: 2:48pm, 25 Sep 2024

Electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng has expanded use of its self-driving system to all cities in mainland China in a bid to attract more local users ahead of the China debut of Tesla’s competing software, known as Full Self-Driving (FSD).

With the move, Guangzhou-based Xpeng becomes the first mainland carmaker to make a semi-autonomous driving system operational nationwide.

The latest version of the X NGP (Xpeng navigation guided pilot) advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) will take a big leap this year to promote self-driving technologies in the world’s largest automotive and EV market, according to He Xiaopeng, Xpeng’s co-founder and CEO.

“The year 2024 is marking a watershed for the development of autonomous driving,” He told a virtual briefing on Tuesday evening. “For Xpeng, our mission is to make our technologies accessible to people around the country.”

Compatible Xpeng cars in China and abroad can access the new software through an over-the-air update that became available on Tuesday evening.

X NGP enables vehicles to recognise traffic lights, turn, change lanes and overtake other vehicles. It was being tested in more than 300 mainland cities before the official announcement. Drivers must keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times because human intervention is still required under many circumstances.

Xpeng, a partner of Volkswagen Group, is viewed as a Chinese leader in developing self-driving technologies, and X NGP is seen as the country’s answer to Tesla’s FSD, which will not be tested in China until the end of 2024.