Bermaz confirmed to launch XPeng in Malaysia

Following XPeng’s confirmation that it will be launching right-hand drive models in Southeast Asian markets including Malaysia, Bermaz Auto confirmed today that it has signed a distributorship agreement with the Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEVs) specialist.

The deal covers distribution rights, sales of spare parts, and provision of after-sales services, and is signed between Bermaz Auto and three XPeng affiliate companies - XPeng Distributorship (Shenzhen Xiaopeng Motors Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., China), Shenzhen XPeng, and Guangzhou XPeng (Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Trading Co., Ltd., China).

He Xiaopeng, the founder and CEO of XPeng said, “XPeng Group intends to expand its business operations over the next 3 years. Currently, our product line-up of award-winning smart EVs include the P7i (sports sedan), P5 (family sedan), G9 (flagship SUV) and P7i (sports sedan) and the newly launched X9 (flagship MPV). Artificial intelligence is the key area of investment, designed to make our smart EVs more efficient, convenient, and accessible to appeal to the large and growing base of technology-savvy middle-class consumers. Our mission is to drive smart EV transformation with technology, shaping the mobility experience of the future and to optimize our customers’ mobility experience.”

Dato’ Francis Lee, Group CEO of Bermaz said, "We are excited to be awarded the XPeng Distributorship for Malaysia. XPeng marque vehicles are among the top smart EVs in China as well as globally."

“We are honoured and would like to thank Mr He Xiaopeng, for his trust and confidence in us. This new distributorship will complement our Group’s existing EV business and will bring positive synergistic benefits to all parties. It is also in line with our Group’s sustainability initiatives to manage and minimise our environmental footprint by introducing more green vehicles and technologies,” he added.

The announcement made to Bursa Malaysia didn't mention any timeline or models that will be launched. These will be announced later.

Last year, XPeng sold 141,601 units (in China, and small number of exports), up 17% from the year before. Xpeng’s volumes are just a fraction of BYD’s 3,024,417 units. However unlike BYD, Xpeng is a pure play BEV manufacturer, while BYD derives nearly half its sales from plug-in hybrids.

Also, XPeng focuses on higher-end premium models, thus the brand is positioned closer to Tesla than BYD.

In China, XPeng is known as ‘Xiaopeng,’ named after its founder He Xiaopeng.

Volkswagen owns 4.99% of XPeng. The Guangzhou-based company has a contract to develop two D-segment (also known as B-class cars in China) models for Volkswagen in China.

XPeng’s latest flagship model is the X9, a sloping roofline electric minivan that combines the Kia Carnival’s sliding door practicality with four-wheel steering for easy parking. It has a turning radius of just 5.4-metre, tighter than a Honda HR-V.

It’s equipped with an 800V electrical architecture, and a battery capacity of up to 101.5 kWh, enough to drive 702 km (CLTC).

However, the model that will most likely be launched by Bermaz is the XPeng G6, the brand’s first right-hand drive export model.

The G6 is a D-segment five-seater coupe-like SUV, ala BMW X4. Depending on variant, battery capacity is between 66 kWh to 87.5 kWh, with a driving range of 580 km and 755 km respectively (CLTC). The model is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Bermaz Auto’s subsidiary Bermaz Motor is the distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia. Another distributor, Dinamikjaya Motors is responsible for Kia. The company also owns 29% of Inokom, a contract manufacturing plant in Kulim, thus opening up the possibilities of local assembly.