Xpeng Motors launches the P5 sedan at an occasion in Guangzhou, China on April 14, 2021. The P5 is Xpeng’s third manufacturing mannequin and options so-called Lidar know-how.
Arjun Kharpal | CNBC
Xpeng has began taking pre-orders on its mass market P5 electric sedan in 4 European international locations because the Chinese rival to Tesla continues its aggressive worldwide growth.
The P5, which was first revealed nearly a year ago in China, will be reserved by prospects in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden from Thursday, by way of Xpeng’s cell app and web site.
Xpeng has been pushing into Europe over the past yr. In August, it began shipments of its flagship P7 sedan to Norway, its first worldwide market.
Last month, the Guangzhou-headquartered firm opened its first self-operated store outside of China in the Swedish capital of Stockholm. On Thursday, Xpeng mentioned it plans to open one other retailer in the Netherlands.
The European model of the P5 is barely totally different to the one launched in China. Firstly, it is going to be outfitted with Xpilot 2.5, Xpeng’s superior driver-assistance system, or ADAS. This refers to a driving software program system with some autonomous options however the place a driver continues to be required. Xpilot 2.5 is a slightly older version of the software than what the corporate is rolling out to prospects in China this yr.
Xpeng’s European P5 will even not have Lidar know-how, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging. Lidar methods can assist a car measure distance and create a 3 dimensional illustration of the automobile’s environment. Lidar is a key know-how behind extra superior autonomous options. However, Xpilot 2.5 doesn’t require Lidar to work.
Xpeng has tried to distinguish from its rivals by specializing in in-house developed autonomous driving options and different know-how. It is hoping these options can be enticing to European shoppers because the shift towards electric autos continues and competitors ramps up.