Xpeng P5 EV set for April 14 reveal; company posts all time quarterly sales record for 2021 [UPDATED]
Xpeng’s upcoming P5 sedan
[Updated]: Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng (also known as XMotors.ai and Xiaopeng Motors) will reveal their P5 mid-size electric sedan online on April 14 at 2pm ET/8pm CET/4am 15/4 AEST prior to the media and public reveal at the Shanghai Auto Fair. This follows the recent sighting of camouflaged prototypes undergoing final development testing on the streets of China, and the following teaser image from XPeng:
XPeng’s Chairman He Xiaopeng has hinted in previous discussions with Chinese media that the P5 will be the first production vehicle with Lidar technology — now confirmed in the above tweet — and that the P5 will be equivalent in size roughly to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord (and obviously, Tesla’s Model 3)
The P5 carries the company’s contemporary styling cues, and appears to offer two driver displays in the interior. The vehicle architecture is shared with the company’s G3 crossover, and customer deliveries are expected to commence towards the end of 2021.
XPeng’s P5 undisguised. Credit: reddit.com/wyboongk
XPeng posts best ever monthly and quarterly sales results
Admittedly, XPeng’s 2020 sales didn’t hit expectations due to a number of factors—only 6 months of P7 sedan sales as well as the COVID-19 pandemic—but the company has posted strong numbers for this year, with 13,340 sales from January to March 2021, versus 1,419 for the previous period in 2020. The company sold 7,974 P7 sedans, and 5,366 G3 SUVs, and also surpassed a cumulative total of 50,000 vehicles.
According to XPeng, "The Company attributed the record quarterly deliveries to its growing brand recognition and product appeal, expanded product portfolio and its relentless efforts in broadening sales, marketing and supercharging service networks across China."
Xpeng is working hard to continue growing its sales as well as its brand in China, and faces stiff competition from BYD, NIO, upcoming Zhiji Auto and of course, Tesla. XPeng is growing its DC fast charging network across China, with over 935 sites across 139 cities available by the end of 2021. The company has also reached an agreement with NIO for customers of either brand to be able to share fast charging stations. In addition, Xpeng has brought in a lower-priced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery option from CATL, designed for city-based customers for whom a longer battery range is of limited value. Customers who opt for the LFP battery option can expect to save around RMB 20,000 ($3,000 US) per vehicle.