XPENG No Longer Hiding Its Grand French Ambitions

Studious Back-to-School Meeting for XPENG After a 2024 Year of Sales Soaring in the Wake of the Paris Auto Show.

Arriving in France in Spring 2024, XPENG loudly affirms its action plan: to become a preferred alternative to Tesla in the electric vehicle market. But while Tesla targets the general public, XPENG fully embraces its status as a Premium brand. Founded in 2014, the Chinese brand relies on technologically advanced vehicles at competitive prices and an ambitious network expansion strategy to attract French consumers.

Its founder Xiaopeng He is a former high-up at the Chinese online retail giant Alibaba. No surprise that the group holds a significant stake in XPENG alongside… Volkswagen! Yes, XPENG will soon supply its in-house electric platforms to the German manufacturer. Have you now understood that we are not dealing with just any start-up?

Although the numbers remain modest, in less than a year XPENG has found its place on the French market. With 511 vehicles sold, including a record 220 units in December, the brand has demonstrated the attractiveness of its offerings. “XPENG appeals to both individuals and businesses through the quality and innovation of its models,” rejoices Thomas Rodier, XPENG France’s Head of Marketing and Communications.

Two Models and That’s It Until 2026

XPENG’s weakness remains its limited lineup. The G6 and G9, two all-electric SUVs, are currently the only models offered, a situation that is not expected to change until 2026 with the arrival of new vehicles in segments B and C. The P7+ sedan was anticipated, but it seems it does not have any clear ambitions for the French market.

On the network side, XPENG already has 35 dealerships in France and aims for 70 sales points by the end of 2025. New locations are planned in Rennes, Montpellier, and Marseille, strengthening a strategic national coverage. The goal is that by 2026, no French customer will be more than 45 minutes away from an official service point.

And tomorrow? XPENG targets 3,600 sales in 2025. If this goal is achieved, the brand will position itself as a serious and credible competitor to Tesla. While it’s rare to see a manufacturer so well equipped technologically for that, it still needs to establish a strong image in France. Beating Tesla shouldn’t be too hard…