Chinese brand XPeng has big Australian plans and this is how it would alter its Australia set-up to bring new models like the 2026 Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9-rivalling G9 and Zeekr 009-rivalling X9 sooner as growing pains mount

China’s XPeng has been in Australia for more than 12 months and the company has had rapid growth to establish itself from nothing locally.

So far the company has 18 dealer locations nationwide and has sold more than 2000 vehicles, despite currently only offering one vehicle, the Tesla Model Y-rivalling G6 electric mid-size SUV.

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“The only thing I have is I wish we could have moved faster,” said Clarke.

“So we’ve had real bursts of productivity and promotion, and then we haven’t, and we’ve been able to source locations and partners, and that doesn’t always work as fast as you want it to happen.

“So if I could ask for anything for Christmas, it would be more speed to market and for more models to please more categories for customers.”

In 2026 XPeng is finally set to introduce the updated version of the G6. It’ll launch locally late in the first quarter with the first customer deliveries coming onto tap in the second quarter.

Additionally the X9 electric people mover is set to launch in the second quarter of 2026 and the G9L large electric SUV will launch in the third quarter of 2026.

“To have one model [currently] is difficult because you’ve got … different types of customers and a range [of vehicles] builds confidence as well with consumers to see what else is there,” added Clarke.

“XPeng has so much to offer with its tech and its range. We really would have liked to have promoted that earlier.

“It really just comes down to the cost of complying with Australian Design Rules (ADRs) is large.

“[You have] got to make sure the demand is there or else the capital outlays are just not going to be worthwhile.

“I really believe that they're the only reasons for that, just assessing demand.

“So we've got the X9 and the G9 coming in, and forecast for another three models.

“We don't know exactly what they are, but, you know, we would be pushing for a smaller SUV, maybe [a] sedan.”

XPeng has previously expressed interest in bringing in passenger car models like the P7 and Mona M03.

Although Clarke told CarsGuide in June 2025 XPeng would want to take direct control over its Australian operations as soon as late 2025, it’s now unclear when this might happen.

“We've been in discussions with XPeng most of this year on how we can optimise the brand in Australia and work together to make that happen,” said Clarke.

“It was announced over a year ago that we have a five-year agreement with XPeng, so it's how we work together to expand the footprint, bring in more models and support our customers with best-in-market aftersales.

“We're still working through that, but we're pretty close to a formal announcement now on what that looks like moving forward.”