Chines EV maker XPeng says it has received over 25,000 pre-sales of its all-electric G6 crossover in China after the first production models hit showrooms on Friday.
The G6, which is priced between RMB 200,000-300,000 ($A41,300-$A62,000) is expected to compete with Tesla’s Model Y.
Originally announced in April, the first production models of the G6 rolled off assembly lines at the end of May before being shipped to XPeng showrooms.
The G6 is XPeng’s fifth EV model and is described as an “ultra smart coupe SUV”. The G6 s XPeng’s first EV built with its latest generation SEPA 2.0 platform architecture which enables up to 755km max range with 300km of charging in just 10 minutes.
The company says it will also be equipped with the latest XNGP as a final stage of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) before fully realizing autonomous driving.
Like Tesla’s structural battery pack, XPeng’s new platform also integrates the battery fully into the car body which reduces parts, and improves rigidity and driving control.
Also like Tesla, the G6 interior is very simplistic including a minimalist dashboard with 15” touchscreen.
The huge interest in the G6 is a promising sign for XPeng. With the Model Y now the world’s best selling car, the G6 could be the first real competitor to Tesla in the crossover EV segment.
Daniel Bleakley is a clean technology researcher and advocate with a background in engineering and business. He has a strong interest in electric vehicles, renewable energy, manufacturing and public policy.
