X-Peng G6: G for Gamechanger?
Just a quick clarification: X-Peng is actually pronounced the way it is written! Really! Because our assumption that it might be pronounced "Shao-Peng" was debunked by Germany CEO Markus Schrick: Yes, the founder's name is Xiao Peng and that's how it is pronounced, but the brand is actually called X-Peng!
And it has been making its move into the German market since 2024 – with modest success so far: The elegant P7 sedan competes against the BMW i4, Nio ET5, and Tesla's Model 3 – with modest success. The SUV G9 was spotted multiple times in camouflage at an engineering office around the corner from us before its presentation and represents a big step up from the P7 – with luxury interiors and 800-volt technology under its subtle exterior. Our first X-Peng contact, however, came through Giesecke & Devrient, where they were working on a security system for the brand founded as recently as 2014. But after the Munich-based company withdrew from the automotive business, X-Peng came to Munich and is now moderately taking off: With experienced heads from Hesse, almost all of whom are known from the Hyundai Group and Stellantis.
Above all, dealers of German corporations are happy to take X-Peng as a secondary brand
And the G6, which is now supposed to be the game-changer. Because so far, it appears that X-Peng is clearly oriented towards Tesla and Nio, the "cool reduced new premiums," but with rather modest success. Of course, because P7 and G9 are both fine, but not real "China blockbusters," which is why they have stepped up the game with the G6. So much so that the VW Group, including Audi, quickly got involved to have affordable high-tech available in China: VW is actually planning its next B-segment EV based on X-Peng, and even Audi will use X-Peng expertise to quickly stabilize its China business... according to an insider, this also helps German VW dealers who want to sell X-Peng and explained, "You know, when 'our' corporation looks at something and finds it good, then it has to be solid." An even more striking statement caught our attention: "At X-Peng, we feel appreciated, something we haven't experienced from our main brand in a long time!" Oops – if you now know that especially BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and VW Group dealers applied to offer Xpeng as a secondary brand, it says a lot.
On the flip side: X-Peng Germany Chief Markus Schrick takes retail very seriously: He relies on the classic authorized dealer system. Period! This means the local dealer brings X-Peng to the customers – with the classic service and sales offering! Because the sales expertise lies with the dealer and not the manufacturer. And Schrick is looking here for the "good" dealers to achieve volume.
Spare parts and service must be right!
That’s why he has blocked a contingent of cars, service, and spare parts for the German market: “There’s a digital and preferably also a real fence around it,” he explains to us, because: He cannot and does not want to afford problems or delays with spare parts! For this reason, they are aiming for up to 120 support points, which, in the worst case, are reachable within 50 to 60 minutes for everyone, as Schrick explains to us – which seems manageable for X-Peng. An exotic brand, aiming towards premium, although they would never officially say that.
Anyway, Schrick and his team are among the sincere market experts and know where they need to start.
Because spare parts and service are THE big issue in many market entries! And it doesn’t matter to the diligent Schrick how it is organized:
“We need to have access – via IT and physically,” he explains to us. Especially since many details can be resolved via remote diagnosis and over-the-air updates! Which his Chinese colleagues have surprised him with several times. “We had a few issues, sent them to China, and they were solved the next day!” rejoices the dynamic manager.
Which is why they dare to offer a SEVEN-year and 160,000 km warranty on the entire vehicle for the X-Peng models. If that’s not a (classic) statement...
What does it mean?
X-Peng comes late, but with skill: The team knows the German market and knows where and how to truly reach potential customers. This is why the sales figures for this still young brand are steadily increasing, even if they are not expected to explode: In Europe, they are planning for a moderate five-digit figure – which is as realistic as program and dealer development. With this realistic planning alone, X-Peng is likely to be one of the brands we will report on more often in the future.
Translated automatically from German.Elektromobilität , Newsletter Elektromobilität , IAA Mobility , SUVs und Geländewagen , Hybrid , Antriebsarten, Kraftstoffe und Emissionen , Oberklasse- und Sportwagen , Carsharing , Autonomes Fahren (Straßenverkehr) , Ladeinfrastruktur , Verkehrspolitik , Formel E , Brennstoffzellen , Fahrzeug-Vernetzung und -Kommunikation , Fahrzeuge & Fuhrpark , Automotive-Messen & Veranstaltungen , Pkw, Kompakt- und Mittelklasse , Minis und Kleinwagen , E-Auto-Datenbank, E-Mobilität-/Automotive-Newsletter, E-Auto-Tests