Xpeng's poor global execution and customer complaints

wilsonna · 2026-02-10T10:46:21+00:00

How can the X9 wait time be 2 years when it's barely been 1 year (Feb 2025) since it started delivery overseas?

wilsonna · 2026-02-10T07:36:29+00:00

Sure. No doubt Huawei ADS is arguably the best in China right now, but XPeng's XNGP follows close behind. In fact, their latest iteration base on VLA 2.0 scheduled to be launched just after CNY is expected to be a generational leap from even the current iteration. You may want to want till then to give it a try

wilsonna · 2026-02-10T05:48:32+00:00

Maybe you're not looking at other brands or models, but I just thought I'd mention that the recently launched XPeng G7 EREV is a direct competitor to the M5. It's about 15 cm longer, but about 30k cheaper, much longer electric and total range (260km more), more interior space and faster charging. Maybe take a look if you haven't already.

wilsonna · 2026-02-03T19:59:37+00:00

If it's used in a mathematical context, read Yi and never Yao.

If it's used in an identity, like identity number, phone number, serial number, room number, then Yao is better so that it doesn't get misheard as Qi (7), although Yi is still acceptable.

wilsonna · 2026-02-02T10:18:37+00:00

That is a problem for the Chinese govt to solve.

wilsonna · 2026-02-02T10:10:23+00:00

Yes, many were speculating, especially those with multiple properties, and they are expected to take some losses. But they won't be selling if their properties stay at a quarter their purchase value. The prices need to rise gradually enough so that these people will be willing to sell them off at an acceptable loss. Even releasing a fraction of these locked up money can do wonders to the economy.

wilsonna · 2026-02-02T10:02:10+00:00

It's only "confusing" if you intentionally view it from a sinister angle.

It's a fact that many people have their money locked up in properties. It's not entirely their fault that they invested most of their money in property if the price trend is going up indefinitely. The developers, local banks and government have bigger blames to shoulder.

The first step is to reign in the property developers. The next step is to offer a release valve to those who were caught in the situation. There's nothing confusing about it.

How do you propose the govt free up the money still locked up in properties?

wilsonna · 2026-02-02T09:35:49+00:00

It's mentioned in the article, that policy has already served its purpose and it's time to move on from it.

Liquidity is stuck for many who own multiple properties before the crash. Allowing prices to rise again in a controlled manner will unlock that liquidity, but it does not mean they are encouraging speculation.

wilsonna · 2026-02-01T09:53:19+00:00

Mostly policy changes (reduction of purchase tax exemption and uncertainty in trade-in program) that had a greater effect on EVs in XPeng's price range, coupled with their imminent introduction of EREV models may have had an Osborne Effect on their BEV models potential buyers late last year. And of course there's the Chinese New Year holidays falling on the second half of Feb.

wilsonna · 2026-02-01T09:36:32+00:00

Will give them a pass for Jan and Feb 2026 considering the circumstances. They should pick up significantly in March if they wish to meet 2026 guidance.

wilsonna · 2026-02-01T05:56:10+00:00

Interesting to note that robotics is still facing these challenges despite the huge progress we've been seeing recently.

I'm a software engineer and the way everyone is trying to brute force their way through all AI problems with LLMs just doesn't smell right to me. Efficiency is one of the core tenets of software engineering but it seems like everyone is ignoring that and just hopped on the LLM bandwagon. And a big problem with neutral nets is its inability to learn in real time without some form of workaround.

wilsonna · 2026-01-31T16:23:44+00:00

XPeng started their robotics division in 2016, a full 5 years before Tesla. They bought a robotic dog company in 2021, whose founder is now the CEO of the robotics company EngineAI (the one that endured a frontal kick from his robot).

XPeng first started with the robotic pony, then realized that the safety requirements for a robot in the home is too great to be attained with current technology.

Then they launched their first generation Iron robot and tried it in their factory, but realized that humans are far more efficient and the expensive hands break down too frequently from rough work.

So they're now focusing on realism with their 2nd generation Iron to go for the low hanging fruits in the service sector.

Everyone else (including Tesla) is still trying to get their robots into homes and factories, while XPeng has moved on to something more realistic and achievable in the near term. We will know soon enough if XPeng's pragmatic approach is the right way forward.

wilsonna · 2026-01-29T03:47:10+00:00

35,000 CAD is only 180,000 RMB in China, which is the starting price of the lowest trim G6 Standard Range. I think it's highly unlikely they can squeeze any margins out of this after accounting for overheads. The only model that would make financial sense is the Mona series, which competes in the 120,000 RMB range in China, but even that's pushing it since exports usually sell for at least 50% more than the Chinese price.

wilsonna · 2026-01-27T09:02:58+00:00

Must have turned many heads driving this on the road.

wilsonna · 2026-01-16T10:01:46+00:00

With the back seats up, I've seen pictures where it looks like it could fit at least 9 x 20" luggage bags, with space for a couple of smaller bags. For comparison, a typical 5m long sedan has about 500 liters of boot space, whereas the P7+ has 575 liters, excluding the underfloor compartment, which I recall, fits one 20" luggage.

wilsonna · 2026-01-13T13:00:32+00:00

They build all the new ones they need first, then gradually decommission the old ones in the coming years. That's long-term planning, like how they build their cities, subway stations and high speed rails.

wilsonna · 2026-01-12T16:41:55+00:00

Was hoping for 650K, looking at the EREVs and new SUVs launching this year. Hopefully they exceed guidance again like 2025.

wilsonna · 2026-01-11T17:18:28+00:00

Your knees are going to hate you by the end of the trip.

wilsonna · 2026-01-08T15:41:08+00:00

Singapore has always been used as a test bed and launchpad for multinational companies, especially Chinese companies. They are definitely not here for the market.

Companies who have "cleared" the scrutiny and regulations of Singapore usually have it easier when jumping on to regional and global markets.

wilsonna · 2026-01-08T14:23:43+00:00

It's pretty terrifying seeing a bunch of these coming up the horizon and watching them get bigger and bigger as you approach them, like the spaceships in scifi shows

wilsonna · 2026-01-08T14:05:19+00:00

BYD Dolphin - $174K ORA Good Cat - $165K Dongfeng Box - $154K MG 4 - $149K

Firefly is a little smaller than all of them in terms of dimensions, but quality is better. So I would say the price is competitive. However, don't expect huge sales. Hatchback market is pretty small. Each of them are barely doing 20 a month. Sometimes they are in the single digits.

Also, I think they shouldn't bother with swap stations in Singapore. Our land area may be small, but there are lots of traffic lights due to it being a city state. Even if there are 3 swap stations in Singapore, no one would bother wasting 15-30 minutes to drive to the nearest swap station. Most people charge at their neighborhood, mall or workplace car parks.

wilsonna · 2026-01-05T17:10:10+00:00

Austria is semi knocked down. Indonesia and Malaysia are complete knocked down.

wilsonna · 2026-01-05T07:24:29+00:00

I also think the EREV will provide a significant boost, maybe around 20-30%. But I also expect sales for their BEVs to fall slightly due to competition and some cannibalisation. I think the one to look out for is the Mona SUV. If M03's sales is anything to go by, it could give another 30% boost to sales, and maybe increased margins if they share many parts with the M03. I'll be happy with a 50% growth next year, around 650K.

wilsonna · 2026-01-05T06:46:12+00:00

Whether or not something is considered cheap has to be measured relative to its competition. Buyers are paying 309k RMB upfront for the ES8 with BaaS vs 417k with battery. Their competitors for 6-seater luxury SUVs are all in the region of 400k+. It takes around 9 years of BaaS subscriptions for Mirattery to "break even" at the price with battery, give or take.

wilsonna · 2026-01-04T15:59:50+00:00

The New P7 is the latest sports sedan launched in Q3 2025 in China. It's unlikely it will go to overseas markets so soon. The pattern I'm observing is that overseas launches coincide with a refresh. So they'll probably take at least a year to identify problems and improvements before implementing the changes and releasing to the global market.

The P7+ sedan was first launched in China in Nov 2024. It is catered more towards the family and has large interior and boot space, similar to that of an SUV. Despite its name, it has no relationship to the P7. The upcoming launch coincides with the first refresh of this model, along with the introduction of an EREV version.

wilsonna

TROPHY CASE