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  • XPeng’s MONA M03 enters mass production ahead of launch

    XPeng’s MONA M03 enters mass production ahead of launch

    Chinese player XPeng Motors has finally kicked off the mass production of its AI-centric model, the MONA M03, ahead of its official launch by the end of August 2024.

    MONA M03 rolls off production line

    XPeng Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive He Xiaopeng announced in a recent Weibo post that the company is already mass-producing the MONA M03 in China.

    As mentioned, XPeng plans to officially launch the new offering under the MONA lineup later this month. For context, MONA stands for “Made of New AI.” The M03 hatchback coupe is expected to feature most of the XPeng’s latest electric vehicle technology when it hits the market.

    According to the XPeng boss, the company’s “front-line partners” are striving to accelerate the manufacturing processes so it can start customer deliveries at the same time as its market launch.

    What’s currently known about the MONA M03?

    Recent regulatory filings in China revealed that the MONA M03 will offer two separate single-motor variants that yield peak powers of 140 kW or 160 kW, respectively.

    The MONA M03 utilizes lithium iron phosphate batteries from FinDreams Battery, which is BYD’s battery division. Additionally, the EV can deliver a top speed of 155 km/h.

    The upcoming MONA M03 is 4,780 mm long, 1,896 mm wide, and 1,445 mm tall. Additionally, it has a wheelbase of 2,815 mm. It boasts a drag coefficient of 0.194 Cd, essentially making it the “most aerodynamic all-electric hatchback sedan” in the world.

    When XPeng debuted the MONA M03 on July 3, it outlined that the new model is “meant to give respect to Tesla’s Model 3.” It will have a wide range of smart driving features to suit different customer needs.

    Availability and pricing

    Xiaopeng confirmed that the MONA M03 will cost at least RMB 200,000 ($27,900), offering competitive pricing to attract a younger demographic of customers.

    XPeng officially opened the pre-order books for the MONA M03 on August 8 for an RMB 99 ($13.81) deposit fee. Reservation holders can benefit from a discount of RMB 3,000 ($419) upon the purchase.

    XPeng expects the new MONA M03 to further boost its competitiveness in the electric vehicle market after selling a total of 63,173 EVs (up 20.46% YoY) so far this year. We can expect to learn more about the new MONA EV when it hits the market later this month.

  • XPeng rolls out XNGP autonomous driving software nationwide

    XPeng rolls out XNGP autonomous driving software nationwide

    Chinese electric vehicle startup XPeng finally initiated the nationwide deployment of its autonomous driving software, XNGP, in China.

    XNGP now available on all roads in China

    XPeng declared at a launch event on Tuesday that the XNGP’s latest iteration is finally accessible to all its electric vehicle models equipped with the software, CnEVPost reported. Additionally, XPeng owners can now activate the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) on all public roads in China.

    XPeng clarified that users can activate the latest XNGP feature on any public road nationwide as long as navigation is covered.

    XNGP, like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD), has advanced from highway-only coverage (Highway NGP) to include urban areas (City NGP). XPeng now collectively calls this comprehensive suite of ADAS features XNGP.

    Focus on safety

    While XPeng actually made XNGP available on all roads in China in early 2024, it focused over half of the year on large-scale real-world trials to guarantee the software’s safety.

    XNGP’s official nationwide rollout followed extensive beta testing and 7.56 million+ kilometers of real-world trials by XPeng, according to CEO & Chairman He Xiaopeng.

    The XPeng boss emphasized the XNGP’s end-to-end AI technology, which he claims to be employed by only two automakers worldwide. While CEO & Chairman He did not specify the other player, it is highly likely America’s Tesla. CEO & Chairman He tested the FSD in the United States in late June 2024 and shared positive reviews for Tesla’s ADAS.

    What’s special about XNGP?

    The latest iteration of the XNGP software can already enable equipped electric vehicles to autonomously navigate toll booths.

    By Q4 2024, XPeng plans to further develop XNGP to include parking lot gates and internal campus roads to deliver a “door-to-door” experience.

    XPeng expects the XNGP to yield a significant reduction in the frequency of safety and efficiency takeovers by 2026.

    XPeng’s XNGP is poised to revolutionize how drivers interact with their cars, promising seamless integration of automated driving into everyday commutes.

  • XPeng expands alliance with Volkswagen to global stage

    XPeng expands alliance with Volkswagen to global stage

    Chinese electric vehicle startup XPeng and German legacy automaker Volkswagen Group have just expanded their partnership from China-only to a global MEB platform.

    XPeng & VW’s electric alliance goes global

    According to the press release, XPeng and Volkswagen Group signed a Master Agreement on electrical/electronic architecture (E/E Architecture) on July 22, 2024.

    The deal amplifies the companies’ goals to co-develop innovative E/E Architecture for electric vehicles riding on VW’s China Main Platform (CMP) and Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) architectures for all locally produced models.

    “XPENG and the Volkswagen Group have entered into a Master Agreement on E/E Collaboration (“Master Agreement”) which solidifies both parties’ commitment to jointly develop industry-leading E/E Architecture for all locally produced vehicles based on Volkswagen’s China Main Platform (CMP) and Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform.”

    XPeng

    For context, XPeng and Volkswagen Group’s initial announcement on April 17 only mentioned the CMP. To be specific, they only originally planned to co-develop and integrate XPeng’s latest-gen E/E architecture into the Volkswagen CMP.

    Considering that the MEB currently signifies the German brand’s vehicle architecture for global electric vehicle development, the new deal suggests that the companies’ partnership is going beyond the Chinese market.

    Global MEB platform co-development

    XPeng asserted that the newly signed agreement with VW Group not only accelerates the E/E architecture’s joint development in China. It also apparently generates more expansion prospects for the E/E architecture alliance.

    Both parties committed to exploring more application prospects for the E/E architecture.

    Xpeng and Volkswagen have already deployed project centers in Guangzhou and Hefei. These facilities house the partners’ engineers, enabling them to collaborate to ramp up the development process.

    Looking forward

    XPeng announced that the inaugural electric vehicle model to ride on the jointly developed E/E architecture will officially hit the production line in about 2 years.

    “For us at Volkswagen, this project is also the next milestone in the consistent implementation of our ‘in China for China’ strategy — with a clear focus on Chinese customers and technological innovations.”

    Ralf Brandstätter, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group China

    Brandstätter further disclosed that Volkswagen’s battery-electric vehicle offerings in the Chinese market will utilize the innovative E/E architecture from 2026.

    Volkswagen invested approximately $700 million in XPeng in exchange for around a 4.99% stake. Since then, they continuously announced groundbreaking projects such as the joint production of two Volkswagen-branded EV models based on the XPeng G9 platform to gain an advantage in the Chinese mid-size car segment. The first model, a mid-size SUV, will reportedly undergo production in 2026.

  • XPeng to roll out at least 4 EVs in 2025, including new models and facelifts

    XPeng to roll out at least 4 EVs in 2025, including new models and facelifts

    Chinese electric automaker XPeng will launch at least four electric vehicles in 2025, local media outlet Xuebao Caijing reported (via CnEVPost). Three of these EVs will be facelift versions of its existing models, while the other one is a joint product with local transportation network company DiDi.

    XPeng G6, P7i and G9 facelifts on the pipeline

    XPeng reportedly plans to roll out four new offerings in 2025, with at least one becoming available every quarter.

    These upcoming XPeng EVs include facelift versions of its G6, P7i, and G9 models. As per the report, XPeng invited several store managers, suppliers, and investors to its Zhaoqing factory in Guangdong province early this month to showcase the Mona M03 and the facelifted models.

    The report, citing one of the event attendees, revealed that the XPeng G6, P7i, and G9 facelifts are now under the camouflaged car road test stage.

    Joint EV product with DiDi

    Apart from the G6, P7i, and G9 facelifts, XPeng also plans to finally launch the new model it co-developed with ride-hailing giant DiDi.

    DiDi Global’s EV unit, acquired by XPeng in 2023, backs the Mona program. The Chinese electric automaker originally planned to launch Mona as a separate brand in 2024.

    However, in its recent remarks, XPeng started hinting that it would be a mere model line.

    XPeng officially unveiled the new Mona M03 on July 3, 2024. It revealed that the base price would hit below 200,000 yuan ($27,580), with an official market launch set in August 2024.

    Boosting competitiveness

    XPeng expects the G6, P7i, and G9 facelifts to solidify its presence in the highly competitive new energy vehicle (NEV) market.

    XPeng’s momentum of launching model facelifts has reportedly accelerated in the shift to NEVs.

    According to the report, the mid-cycle facelift of the XPeng G3 and P7 took around three years. If the company manages to deliver the new facelifts next year, the original cycle will diminish to only two years.

    For context, XPeng currently sells P5, P7 series, G6, G9, and X9 in the NEV market.

    This year, XPeng apparently seeks to focus on delivering the new Mona M03 and the new P7+ sedan, codenamed F57, to the market.

  • XPeng to replace LiDAR with Tesla-style “pure vision” system for upcoming model

    XPeng to replace LiDAR with Tesla-style “pure vision” system for upcoming model

    Chinese electric vehicle startup XPeng plans to ditch light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and pursue a Tesla-like pure vision system for its upcoming model, CnEVPost reports, citing a source familiar with the matter.

    XPeng follows Tesla’s lead with pure vision approach

    XPeng is planning to introduce its new electric vehicle model, internally codenamed “F57,” in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Instead of using conventional LiDARs, XPeng will reportedly adopt Tesla’s innovative self-driving strategy, which is a camera-only system.

    XPeng’s decision is no longer surprising, considering that even Tesla Chief Elon Musk has mocked LiDAR being a “fool’s errand.” Starting in 2022, Tesla ditched ultrasonic sensors from its electric vehicles two at a time.

    It is also worth noting that XPeng CEO He Xiaopeng went to the US in June 2024 and tested Tesla’s camera-only Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite. The XPeng boss shared his experience, even saying that he was quite impressed by its performance, especially on highways:

    Major pivot

    The strategy to abandon LiDAR is a major pivot for XPeng, given that it was the first company in the world to install LiDARs in production vehicles. On September 15, 2021, it introduced the P5 electric sedan featuring two LiDARs in its top-trim variant.

    Despite that, CEO Xiaopeng does not appear to advocate the LiDAR approach in smart driving systems strongly.

    Resonating the human reliance on vision, the XPeng boss said in a September 2021 interview he views cameras as more crucial than LiDAR for environmental understanding.

    According to the unnamed source, CEO Xiaopeng’s US visit was meant to pave the way for XPeng to shift to a Tesla-like pure-vision approach.

    XPeng’s upcoming model

    XPeng announced plans to launch a new B-class all-electric sedan in Q4 2024 during the earnings call on May 21. The Chinese automaker expects it to be the first model to achieve a 25% cost reduction for technology.

    While XPeng did not mention a code name at the time, Chinese media implies that the model would be the F57.

    XPeng’s decision to ditch LiDAR might be a strategic move to match Tesla’s technology approach. Tesla’s fully integrated, large-scale modeling system used in its FSD suite is gaining traction as the preferred method in the industry. Beyond aligning with Tesla’s direction, cost-saving factors likely played a role in the major pivot.

  • XPeng debuts new AI-centric Mona M03 sedan ahead of official launch in August 2024

    XPeng debuts new AI-centric Mona M03 sedan ahead of official launch in August 2024

    Chinese electric automaker XPeng has officially held the debut of the Mona M03 sedan ahead of its launch in August 2024, promising to offer the “strongest smart driving capabilities in its class.”

    Mona M03 debuts in China

    XPeng formally introduced the M03 electric sedan on Wednesday via a live stream announced on Mona’s official Weibo page. It signifies the first model of the new Mona lineup.

    For context, XPeng established Mona in August 2023 when it acquired the ride-hailing giant Didi Global’s electric vehicle business.

    As part of the deal, Didi would offer mobility ecosystem support for the Mona and help it penetrate the national shared mobility market. XPeng also previously disclosed that Didi could get as much as 5% of its equity if Mona hits 180,000 annual sales for two straight years.

    XPeng derived the Mona moniker from the phrase “Made of New AI.” XPeng initially said it would be a new brand. However, it has started calling it a “new lineup” in recent months.

    XPeng’s great emphasis on Artificial intelligence demonstrates its efforts to fortify the perception of its smart driving technologies.

    What’s currently known about the model?

    XPeng expects the new M03 electric sedan to boost its sales in the second half of 2024.

    XPeng asserted that the new Mona M03 will offer various smart driving features to suit different needs. The company expects the new electric sedan to be the most capable in its class when it comes to smart driving tech.

    Interestingly, XPeng Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng declared that the new M03 is “meant to give respect to Tesla’s Model 3” during the event.

    According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) catalog, the upcoming Mona M03 electric sedan will offer two single-motor variants. These variants can yield peak motor output of 140 kW and 160 kW, respectively.

    Both variants reportedly feature BYD’s lithium iron phosphate batteries, supporting a 155 km/h top speed.

    Impressively, it boasts a drag coefficient of 0.194 Cd, making it the world’s most aerodynamic all-electric hatchback sedan.

    XPeng has yet to reveal more details about the new electric sedan.

    Pricing

    XPeng announced that the Mona M03 will cost below  RMB 200,000 yuan ($27,500). This amount is slightly higher than the price range XPeng initially promised.

    Nonetheless, the new electric sedan remains an ultra-affordable offering, especially considering that it will come with the intriguing smart driving tech XPeng boasts.

    XPeng is gearing up to officially launch the Mona M03 in August 2024.

  • China’s Neta, XPeng pivot to Africa as Europe throws up roadblocks

    China’s Neta, XPeng pivot to Africa as Europe throws up roadblocks

    Chinese electric automakers, including Neta Auto and XPeng Motors, are trying their luck in Africa as they adjust their global expansion strategies amid trade tensions in the European Union.

    Chinese players set sights on Africa

    According to Nikkei Asia, Chinese startups Neta Auto and XPeng Motors are now intensifying their penetration of the African market as they face major regulatory hurdles in Europe.

    Hozon New Energy Automobile-owned EV brand Neta launched its flagship store in Kenya in late June 2024, marking its first dealership in the region.

    Neta reportedly aims to penetrate 20 markets in Africa over the next two years. As part of this effort, the company plans to establish 100 dealerships and sell over 20,000 electric vehicles in the region within three years.

    Neta believes Kenya “serves as a gateway to Southern, Central, and Eastern Africa,” potentially enabling it to easily access neighboring markets.

    Meanwhile, XPeng declared the sales launch of its G9 electric SUV and the P7 electric sedan in Egypt in mid-June 2024.

    BYD launched its popular Atto 3 electric SUV in South Africa, which is the biggest market on the continent. It had a base price of 768,000 rand (around $41,000).

    “We believe we can provide all of our South African customers with vehicles that not only meet their transportation needs, but exceed their expectations.”

    Huang Zhixue, General Manager of BYD’s Middle East and Africa auto sales division

    European regulatory hurdles

    Chinese electric automakers have traditionally targeted Europe and Southeast Asia for international growth. In fact, according to industry data, China-made electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for 40% or so of the European market in 2023.

    However, the European Commission’s efforts to protect its local industry and homegrown players threaten Chinese companies’ further position in the market.

    In mid-June, the EU announced countervailing tariffs of up to 38.1% on China-made EV imports. These new import tariffs will take effect on July 4, 2024.

    The European Commission contends that China-made EVs benefit from unfair government subsidies, which disrupt fair competition in the European market.

    Africa seen as viable market

    Chinese players are betting on EVs and PHEVs to compete in Africa’s developing market. They plan to offer a wider range of electric vehicle models in the continent and establish a strong brand image,

    They seek to appeal to environmentally-aware customers even if the electric vehicles come at a higher price range. IEA data showed that EVs are still uncommon in Africa, accounting for only sub-1% of overall car sales.

    However, government policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 can substantially boost EV sales. In general, Africa and the Middle East are promising markets for automotive. According to GlobalData, new vehicle sales in Africa will surge 53% to 1.52 million units in 2036, while the Middle East will see a 41% growth to 3.96 million units.

    Neta and XPeng, by entering the African market early, can establish a strong foothold before many other electric automakers arrive. This strategy can give them a significant advantage in capturing market share. However, it would be very challenging for them, given that the continent’s power grids and charging networks are still under development.

  • First XPeng G6s spotted in Australia, deliveries expected later this year

    First XPeng G6s spotted in Australia, deliveries expected later this year

    Chinese electric automaker XPeng is gearing up to deliver the new G6 electric SUV in the Australian market this year.

    Before that, an electric vehicle enthusiast spotted a few test vehicles of the XPeng G6 in Goulburn, New South Wales.

    XPeng G6 electric SUVs spotted in NSW

    EV enthusiast Justin Wakefield spotted numerous G6 models with Victorian number plates and shared them on the Electric Vehicles for Australia Facebook page and on X.

    “Saw an Xpeng G6 in Goulburn last night. Very impressive! First RHD registered in Australia for now. Look out for them.”

    Justin Wakefield, Electric Vehicles for Australia Facebook group member
    https://twitter.com/J_R_W_/status/1806443197012529421

    Wakefield posted another two spy images featuring blue and orange XPeng G6s.

    “As a follow up to my previous post, here is the XPENG G6 from last night with a LHD AWD Performance model also being tested in Aus.”

    Justin Wakefield, Electric Vehicles for Australia Facebook group member

    The blue unit was in a right-hand-drive configuration, while the orange one was a left-hand-drive model.

    The orange option is available for purchase with Standard and Extended configurations. Meanwhile, blue in the RHD configuration is an option currently unavailable on XPeng’s local pre-order configurator.

    Striking design and powerful performance

    The attractive design of the XPeng G6 electric SUV stimulated significant interest from EV fans.

    Some members of the online group asked how these China-made electric SUVs looked in person. In response, Justin Wakefield proclaimed that the XPeng G6 is “very striking” and “a highly appealing looking unit.”

    The Xpeng G6 will be available in the Australian market in two variants, Standard and Long Range. Both variants have a rear-wheel-drive powertrain that uses an 800V architecture, enabling faster charging speeds. It is expected to support C fast-charging speeds of up to 215 kW.

    The Standard variant offers a 66 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a driving range of up to 435 km. It features a 190 kW motor that yields up to 440 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds.

    On the other hand, the other variant features a larger 87.5 kWh battery that can deliver a driving range of up to 570 km.

    Refer to the table below:

    FeatureStandard VariantLong Variant
    Electric Drive System800V XPower800V XPower
    Max Power Output190 kW210 kW
    Max Torque440 Nm440 Nm
    WLTP Driving Range435 km570 km
    Drive WheelsRear Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive

    Availability

    XPeng has yet to reveal the official pricing of the new G6 electric SUV, According to The Driven.

    XPeng officially opened pre-orders for the G6 electric SUVs in the Australian market in late June with a $1000 fully refundable deposit.

    The Chinese electric automaker plans to kick off first deliveries by the fourth quarter of the year.

    XPeng faces a tough launch in the local EV market. A competitive price for the G6 is crucial against established brands offering lower prices, such as BYD.

  • Tesla FSD impresses Xpeng CEO: Praises performance on highways and Silicon Valley streets

    Tesla FSD impresses Xpeng CEO: Praises performance on highways and Silicon Valley streets

    XPeng Chief Executive and Chairman He Xiaopeng praised Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite after testing it in California, United States, last week.

    Xpeng CEO acknowledges Tesla FSD’s capabilities

    The XPeng boss recently took the FSD V12.3.6 for a spin in San Francisco. In an interesting update, he willingly shared positive reviews for the Tesla FSD and gave it a thumbs up.

    He also compared Tesla’s autonomous driving software with Waymo’s, emphasizing its advantage in Silicon Valley and on highways.

    “I experienced FSD version V12.3.6 in California over the past couple of days and also hailed a Waymo to experience it. Overall, the Waymo performed better in the San Francisco urban area, while FSD performed extremely well in Silicon Valley and on highways, where it could achieve high scores and many road conditions were handled smoothly.”

    XPeng CEO/Chairman He Xiaopeng

    Xpeng learns from Tesla’s FSD as autonomous driving race heats up

    XPeng CEO Xiaopeng asserted in a LinkedIn post that he has noticed remarkable progress in Tesla FSD in recent months, even saying that his company is willing to learn from the Musk-led company’s developed ADAS.

    “I believe 2025 will be the Chat GPT moment of fully self-driving! In the industry of autonomous driving, everyone is learning from each other quickly, iterating on themselves, and working together to improve the happiness of mobility for everyone.”

    XPeng CEO/Chairman He Xiaopeng

    Notably, he made these remarks before the publication of the video of his ride with FSD (Supervised) activated. As you can see in the video content, the XPeng boss acknowledged how smooth the software was. He even noted that it made him feel at ease like a human was at the wheel.

    XPeng is currently one of the most advanced Chinese companies in autonomous driving technology. XPeng Motors’ Navigation Guided Pilot (XNGP) can support point-to-point autonomous driving in hundreds of Chinese cities on local highways and urban roads.

    Meanwhile, Tesla has yet to secure Level 3 autonomous driving certification in the US by SAE standards. Nonetheless, it has been making significant progress in its efforts to advance its autonomous driving tech.

    Tesla is also working to launch the FSD for the Chinese market, while XPeng is continuously expanding its XNGP software in Europe. Indeed, the global self-driving race is heating up.

    Despite Xiaopeng’s kind words, he noted that Chinese roads are more intricate than those in the US, with more people and vehicles. Nonetheless, he emphasized his excitement about seeing Tesla’s autonomous driving software in his home country. Before the video ended, he took the chance to invite Tesla Chief Elon Musk to experience his XPeng’s XNGP.

  • XPeng boss takes Tesla FSD V12.3.6 for a spin in the US

    XPeng boss takes Tesla FSD V12.3.6 for a spin in the US

    XPeng’s Chief Executive and Chairman He Xiaopeng has just taken Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) V12.3.6 for a spin in the United States, demonstrating the Chinese electric automaker’s efforts in competitive benchmarking.

    XPeng CEO experiences Tesla’s FSD

    XPeng boss Xiaopeng announced on Chinese social media platform Weibo that he has been in the US for some time now, CnEVPost reported.

    His visit to Tesla’s home turf gave him an opportunity to experience and test competing autonomous driving technologies, particularly those from the Musk-led EV giant and Google-backed Waymo.

    Apart from the Tesla FSD V12.3.6, the XPeng executive is also looking to ride on a Tesla car with the 12.4.1 version.

    “I’m in the US for a long time this time, so I’ll take this opportunity to review the latest versions of FSD and Waymo. I have Tesla FSD V12.3.6 here, and if you have the beta version of 12.4.1, you can lend it to me.”

    He Xiaopeng, XPeng’s Chief Executive and Chairman

    As you can see in the Weibo post, CEO Xiaopeng used a blue previous generation Tesla Model 3 sedan in 2024.14.9. software. It is equipped with FSD (Supervised) v12.3.6, enabling the XPeng leader to experience its features firsthand in San Francisco. 

    Unsurprisingly, the outspoken Tesla CEO responded in Sawyer Merritt’s report on X.

    XPeng took the chance to ask CEO Musk directly for access to FSD V12.4.1.

    Competitive benchmarking

    CEO Xiaopeng admitted that he aims to determine the capabilities of Tesla’s FSD suite and Waymo Robotaxi’s autonomous driving systems to compare them with XPeng’s own advanced driver-assist system, the XNGP.

    The XPeng boss also thanked industry enthusiasts who compared XPeng’s XNGP to Tesla FSD.

    “Thank you for the comparison between FSD and XNGP. If you want to know more about what aspects, you can tell me.”

    He Xiaopeng, XPeng’s Chief Executive and Chairman

    While XPeng and Tesla are direct competitors, CEO Xiaopeng did not hesitate to offer positive remarks toward the Musk-led company’s FSD push.

    In hindsight, Tesla Chief Elon Musk went to China in late April to push for the FSD launch. XPeng CEO Xiaopeng expressed his warm welcome to Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in a post.

    “Today, many friends asked me what I think about FSD entering China. I especially welcome Tesla FSD to enter China… Tesla has very good self-driving technology and brand. Only when more good products and technologies enter can the entire market and customers have more good experiences, and the market develops and accelerates in a more healthy direction.”

    He Xiaopeng, XPeng’s Chief Executive and Chairman, said in an April 2024 post

    Tesla FSD push in China

    Tesla recently overcame a major hurdle in its ambition to launch the FSD suite in the Chinese market by partnering with a local tech giant, Baidu.

    Baidu aided Tesla China on key matters, including mapping and navigation systems. Progress over the past couple of months hints that Tesla FSD may soon penetrate the world’s largest auto market.

    Recent reports suggest that the Musk-led company was gearing up to register the software with the Chinese government to achieve its goal of launching FSD in China this year.

    Once Tesla registers FSD with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, it can finally initiate internal testing on employee vehicles. After that, Tesla can finally offer the software to Chinese owners as an upgrade.

    As of today, all Tesla EVs in China have free Basic Autopilot (BAP) software. Tesla also offers Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) and FSD software options for RMB 32,000 ($4,410) and RMB 64,000, respectively. Since the EAP and FSD features are not trained for China’s specific road conditions, they currently do not offer a significant advantage over the free BAP. However, EAP and FSD do come with extra perks like remote summoning.