The future of XPeng in Australia is changing. Factory set to have bigger say in Chinese EV brand’s local plans
Strong signs are emerging Chinese EV specialist XPeng could take a higher degree of control over the import and distribution of its vehicles in Australia.
The management of the XPeng brand in Australia is currently under the control of the independent distributor TrueEV.
It launched Xpeng in Australia with the G6 medium SUV late in 2024 and also owns a number of the retail outlets.
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TrueEV CEO Jason Clarke has predicted that an increased factory involvement is likely.
“I think it’s the focus of the international OEMs [car companies] to ..adopt more and more of the local operations with which they work,” he told media at the recent Melbourne EV show.
“We’ll be working more closely with XPeng headquarters … probably from later this year.”
Questioned separately by EV Central, Clarke added TrueEV was positive about the changes.
“I think if it’s good for the brand and it’s good for the customer, it works out okay for us.”
Clarke’s comments followed on from XPeng vice-chairman and president Dr. Brian Gu assessment of the Australian market at the company’s Global Brand Night in Hong Kong in May.
As reported by drive.com.au, Dr Gu said that the brand was considering more direct control and investment in Australia.
“In terms of the market approach, we believe we need to do more in Australia,” he said.
Clarke referenced the recent take-over of the BYD distribution in Australia by the factory from independent owned EVDirect, which has switched focus to the retail side.
He suggested a the XPeng factory and TrueEV relationship may take a similar turn.
“We have obviously a lot of retail outlets, we’ve got a lot of infrastructure in place,” Clarke told EV Central. “So we will do more and more, they will do even more and more.
“I would say distribution and retail is more of us, the importation and the shipping side, the logistics of that [more XPeng].”
The faster expansion of the XPeng model range in Australia also appears to be another potential upside of a stronger factory involvement.
Models on TrueEV’s agenda that are yet to arrive – or in some cases be approved – include the G6 Performance, G9 SUV, X9 people-mover, Mona M03 sedan, P7+ large car and G7 SUV. Flying cars and advanced robotics are also part of the XPeng portfolio.
“We don’t have certainty on models, variance, timing,” Clarke admitted. “So no matter what the situation as a third-party distributor, we don’t always have the answers and can’t provide to our customers that we’ve sourced what they can have next.
“So it’s complex even in the best of days. You know, there’s difficulties with shipping and exchange rates and availability and XPeng have their own supply demands and constraints from time to time. So it’s difficult.”
Clarke also referenced the incoming NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Standard) CO2 reduction scheme and the potential for XPeng to make money from that by selling credits generated by its EVs to polluting brands.
It’s an aspect of the Australian XPeng business case Clarke previously referenced in an interview with EV Central.
They will do what their owner the Chinese government tells them