How Xpeng will take on Tesla as Chinese carmakers drive overseas EV competition
The Guangzhou-based company will expand its self-driving technology to international markets, challenging its US rival in Europe
“We are very confident that we can be head-to-head competitors with Tesla,” said Brian Gu Hongdi, vice-chairman and president at Xpeng, in an interview with the South China Morning Post.
Though admitting the US carmaker’s edge as an early entrant in some European markets, Gu noted that Xpeng could be supported by the leadership of China’s automobile industry.
“The Chinese market is probably the most competitive and most innovative autonomous driving market in the world,” Gu said. “The confidence comes from the fact that we are trained in the most (intense) fit gym in the world.”
Xpeng unveiled its Mona L03 model in Hong Kong on Friday, one week after the debut in mainland China, which will be followed by a launch in Munich on July 16.