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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

Daniel Ren in Shanghai
and Mia Nulimaimaiti in Hong Kong
Published: 9:00pm, 11 Mar, 2024

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.
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.

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....

By all intents and purposes, Xpeng is a more direct rival to Tesla than BYD. This is because Xpeng exclusively dabbles with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and only high-end models at that. BYD, despite their relative fame, still garner half their sales from plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and with greater emphasis on lower-end products.

One such example of Xpeng's Tesla fighter is the G6 SUV – which has already been confirmed by company co-president Brian Gu last year as the first model of theirs be RHD.

The G6 is available across three variants in China: a single-motor G6 580 Long Range Pro and 755 Long Range Pro, as well as the range-topping 700 4WD Performance Max, denoting CLTC-rated range of 580 km, 755 km, and 700 km, respectively.

The latter two variants are equipped with a 296 PS/440 Nm rear motor, while the most powerful of them all runs a 358 PS/660 Nm dual-motor setup.

Prices of the G6 start from CNY 209,900 (~RM 136k), which is circa 20% cheaper than an equivalent Tesla Model Y that's priced from CNY 263,900 (~RM 172k).

Expect premium pricing since it from Bermaz.

Tesla in Malaysia is very competitively priced. Selling this 20% below tesla is very unlikely with local dealership.

Xpeng is premium priced EV in home land, why would we expect it lesser?The trick is to make it just premium enough and not too much.

If Xpeng is really agreeing RHD markets , I would think they will emulate others : BYD and MG that is really doing well in Europe and many parts of the world, i.e. sell at pricing slightly lower than Tesla  with similar or  compatible spec, it is expected by the market: any market around the world.

Bermaz needs Xpeng to add more EV to their portfolio because having cut ties with Peugeot already rule out e208 or e2008.

Their Mazda MX30 is not going to sell because Mazda spec it poorly and wanted just to make it a compliant car for emission regulations.  Kia EV6 is too overly priced out from competition , and not leaving the sales lots. So if Bermaz is going to make the same mistakes, then good luck to them

The first model, XPeng G6 EV (SUV), slated for launch in 4Q24 will be competitively priced at under RM200,000, it added.

There is news that the G6 will be priced below RM200K. Likely RM199K which same as Tesla Model Y.

Under 200k variant probably kosong car 

...Bermaz who also handles Mazda and Kia in Malaysia did not mention any release timeline or even models that will be made available in Malaysia in its announcement today. That being said, the president of XPeng, Brian Gu has previously said that the first RHD model from the company would be its G6 crossover SUV although the international version will likely come with some updates.

With a starting price of RMB209,900 (~RM136,790), the G6 offers a CLTC-rated range of between 580km to 755km. The variants with single motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) setup offer a maximum output of 218kW (292hp) and peak torque of 440Nm alongside 0 – 100km/h timing that is as low as 5.9 seconds.


On the other hand, the G6 with dual-motor AWD setup has a maximum power output of 358kW (480hp) together with 660Nm of peak torque. Naturally, this version also can accelerate from o to 100km/h much faster at 3.9 seconds.


While we don’t expect XPeng and Bermaz to retain that RM137k price tag if they decide to release the G6 in Malaysia, we also don’t see any reason for them to price the EV beyond RM200k either. Given the popularity of crossover SUV form factor in Malaysia, the G6 could be a great addition to the sub-RM200k EV market.

Of course, the price must be right if XPeng and Bermaz want the G6 to stand a chance going against the likes of BYD Atto 3 and Chery Omoda E5, let alone Tesla.

the only other china brand I wish to see here is Nio. too bad they are very slow in expanding to RHD markets

Xpeng is premium priced EV in home land, why would we expect it lesser?The trick is to make it just premium enough and not too much.

If Xpeng is really agreeing RHD markets , I would think they will emulate others : BYD and MG that is really doing well in Europe and many parts of the world, i.e. sell at pricing slightly lower than Tesla  with similar or  compatible spec, it is expected by the market: any market around the world.

Bermaz needs Xpeng to add more EV to their portfolio because having cut ties with Peugeot already rule out e208 or e2008.

Their Mazda MX30 is not going to sell because Mazda spec it poorly and wanted just to make it a compliant car for emission regulations.  Kia EV6 is too overly priced out from competition , and not leaving the sales lots. So if Bermaz is going to make the same mistakes, then good luck to them

Kia thought by releasing their ev very early and at a huge price tag would get snapped up.

Now I see those Kia ev drivers I'm thinking they must be shooting their foot for spending 360k on an ev