XPeng's local strategy in Australia is experiencing a shift, with the factory assuming a more influential role in the Chinese electric vehicle brand's Australian operations.

In the ever-evolving electric vehicle (EV) landscape of Australia, XPeng and TrueEV are making significant strides. Jason Clarke, CEO of TrueEV, has announced an increased factory involvement by XPeng in Australia, following a similar shift seen with BYD vehicles.

Currently, XPeng's vehicles in Australia are controlled by an independent distributor, TrueEV. However, XPeng might possibly adopt a wholly owned subsidiary structure to gain greater control over the import and distribution of their vehicles. This change could potentially lead to more efficient operations and a faster expansion of the XPeng model range in Australia.

Dr. Gu, XPeng's vice-chairman and president, has expressed XPeng's interest in more direct control and investment in Australia. His sentiments were echoed by Clarke, who mentioned that international OEMs (car companies) are focusing on adopting more local operations.

Clarke references the incoming NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Standard) CO2 reduction scheme, and the potential for XPeng to make money from selling credits generated by its EVs to polluting brands. This aspect was previously mentioned by Clarke in an interview with EV Central.

TrueEV launched XPeng in Australia with the G6 medium SUV in late 2024 and owns some retail outlets. The distribution of BYD vehicles in Australia has also seen a change, with the factory taking over from EVDirect, shifting focus to the retail side.

Both TrueEV and XPeng are positive about these changes, stating that if it's good for the brand and customer, it benefits them as well. TrueEV's CEO, Jason Clarke, predicts that under this new setup, XPeng will be handling more of the importation and shipping side, while TrueEV will focus more on distribution and retail.

As for the future of XPeng models in Australia, Clarke admits that there is uncertainty about models, variance, timing, and availability. Models on TrueEV's agenda that are yet to arrive or be approved include the G6 Performance, G9 SUV, X9 people-mover, Mona M03 sedan, P7+ large car, and G7 SUV.

The collaboration between XPeng and TrueEV is not limited to traditional automotive offerings. XPeng's portfolio also includes flying cars and advanced robotics, areas where TrueEV might also seek to partner with XPeng in the future.

In conclusion, the relationship between XPeng and TrueEV is evolving, with a shift towards more direct control by XPeng over its operations in Australia. This change could bring about faster expansion, increased efficiency, and a broader range of XPeng models for Australian consumers.

XPeng's local strategy in Australia is experiencing a shift, with the factory assuming a more influential role in the Chinese electric vehicle brand's Australian operations.