Chinese EV maker Xpeng will equip P7 coupe with Alibaba’s mini-app platform to boost in-car services
- The mini app will initially focus on driver-centric functions such as navigation, location and traffic information
Chinese electric carmaker Xpeng Motors will equip its P7 intelligent electric coupe with Alibaba Group Holding’s mini-app platform as the battle for smart vehicles intensifies.
Scheduled for launch in the spring of 2020, the Xpeng P7 will be the first production model smart vehicle to carry the Alibaba In-Car Mini App, which offers users a suite of in-car digital information and entertainment functions, Alibaba-backed Xpeng said at Alibaba Cloud’s annual Apsara computing conference in Hangzhou on Friday.
Alibaba is also the owner of the South China Morning Post.
“We are very proud to have partnered with Alibaba to tailor make the In-Car Mini App with real- time vehicle-to-app interaction needed by smart cars,” said Rocky Liu, general manager of internet technology at Xpeng Motors. “Alibaba provides the highest level of security and trust to complement the cutting-edge technology in our upcoming P7 coupe.”
The mini app will initially focus on driver-centric functions such as navigation, location and traffic information but will gradually be extended into other areas such as “lifestyle and infotainment functions”. In the future, it will also be open to third-party developers to launch more value-added services, according to Xpeng’s release.
The move comes after Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings unveiled a voice-operated version of its hugely popular WeChat social app for use in vehicles in partnership with Chinese carmaker Changan Automobile in August.