Xpeng to partner with franchised dealers ahead of G6 launch in Q1 2025

Xpeng is looking to partner with franchised dealers in the UK ahead of plans to launch its G6 SUV in Q1 next year.

AM understands the Chinese brand has partnered with IM Group to distribute the G6, which is a Tesla Model Y rival, and wants to establish a traditional franchised retail network in the UK.

The G6 is priced from around £22,900 in China, but UK prices are expected to be higher due to import duty and homologation. However, it's expected the brand will still look to undercut the Tesla Model Y with prices starting below £40,000. Xpeng has already undercut the Model Y in Germany by €7,000 (£5,900).

IM Group recently parted ways with another electric vehicle brand B-ON, which is also looking to partner with franchised dealers for its new Pelkan electric commercial vehicle.

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The brand has already started sales in Germany and has signed an agreement with Volkswagen Group to develop two B-segment "smart e-cars" in the future.

VW has also invested in Xpeng as part of the cooperation, with a 5% stake at around £540 million.

Xpeng was highlighted by a recent Startline survey as the Chinese EV manufacturer most likely to succeed in the UK.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “It can seem as though a new Chinese EV entrant to the UK car market is announced every week but our research shows that dealers are starting to build up a picture of which they think are the most credible.

“Xpeng is an interesting result at the top of the table. Although they have just launched in Germany, they are not expected to arrive in the UK later this year, while other brands such as BYD and GWM ORA already have cars on UK roads. However, dealers obviously see some potential there.”

The G6

The ultra fast charging G6 (up to 280 kW) will be available with two battery packs (66 kWh and 87.5 kWh), the largest of which has a maximum WLTP driving range of 354 miles.

The G6 is on the latest generation of Xpeng's EV platform (SEPA2.0) and the battery can be charged from 10 to 80% in less than 20 minutes.

The coupe SUV has rear-wheel drive as standard, but the largest battery can be combined with all-wheel drive.

The RWD Standard Range delivers 190 kW/258 hp and 440 Nm, the RWD Long Range delivers 210 kW/286 hp and 440 Nm and the AWD Performance is "only for people with a strong stomach": it delivers 350 kW/476 hp and 660 Nm thanks to two electric motors, enabling it to sprint from 0 -62mph in four seconds.

The G6 has a wheelbase of 2.89 meters and a luggage compartment offering 571 litres of space.

The G6's infotainment system runs on the latest version of Xpeng's operating system Xmart OS and offers XPILOT driver assistance systems as standard.

All other functionalities can be controlled through a central high-resolution 14.96-inch screen.

Xpeng offers periodic software updates to its system that take place completely over-the-air.

Video: G6 showcased to UK buyers at Goodwood Festival of Speed