Chinese car manufacturer Xpeng has formalised its strategic partnership with International Motors as its official distributor, charged with ensuring that its first EV to launch in the UK will receive dedicated support from import to aftersales.
AM-online first reported on the looming Xpeng partnership in July, and IM Group confirmed its new partnership at Automotive Management Live 2024 last week.
Xpeng plans to launch its Tesla Model Y rival, the G6 SUV in Q1 next year through a traditional franchised retail network framework.
“Our partnership with IM Group marks an important step in Xpeng’s global expansion,” said Alex Tang, the car maker’s head of international business.
“We are excited to introduce UK consumers to a new standard in electric mobility, combining innovative technology with exceptional design to deliver an unparalleled experience that meets the demands of today’s drivers. With a vision for AI-defined mobility, we aim to revolutionise the driving experience in the UK, making it safer, smarter, more sustainable and more pleasant in the near future.”
William Brown, managing director at International Motors, said: “IML has been working with Xpeng for some time, and this was highlighted with the UK debut of the Xpeng G6 at the world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year.
“This new long-term agreement demonstrates IML’s ambition to seek alliances with forward-thinking partners that share the company’s values. Both parties look forward to launching the impressive G6 to UK customers in early 2025.”
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This partnership follows Xpeng’s recent European market expansion in Norway in 2020, followed by launches in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal.
By 2025, Xpeng aims to expand to over 60 international markets, with half of its sales coming from markets outside of China.
The G6 is priced from around £22,900 in China, but UK prices are expected to be higher due to import duty and homologation.
However, it’s expected the brand will still look to undercut the Tesla Model Y with prices starting below £40,000. Xpeng has already undercut the Model Y in Germany by €7,000 (£5,900).
The G6, a pure-electric mid-size coupe SUV, is based on the latest generation of Xpeng’s EV platform (SEPA2.0) and the battery can be charged from 10 to 80% in less than 20 minutes. It will be Xpeng’s first model to be launched in the UK and offers an extended driving range, together with AI-integrated driving capabilities.
The coupe SUV has rear-wheel drive as standard, but the largest battery can be combined with all-wheel drive. The RWD Standard Range delivers 190 kW/258 hp and 440 Nm, the RWD Long Range delivers 210 kW/286 hp and 440 Nm and the AWD Performance delivers 350 kW/476 hp and 660 Nm thanks to two electric motors, enabling it to sprint from 0-62mph in four seconds.
