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While AI, robots, and compensation packages drew a lot of attention this week, the most significant vehicle introductions were evolutions of the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), or what we would call “minivans” in the US. XPENG launched an updated X9 with the company’s first EREV platform and their most advanced self-driving system to date. If that vehicle hadn’t launched, the most significant introduction of the week would likely have been the launch of the “Summer 2026” Xia MPV, closing out B…
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While AI, robots, and compensation packages drew a lot of attention this week, the most significant vehicle introductions were evolutions of the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), or what we would call “minivans” in the US. XPENG launched an updated X9 with the company’s first EREV platform and their most advanced self-driving system to date. If that vehicle hadn’t launched, the most significant introduction of the week would likely have been the launch of the “Summer 2026” Xia MPV, closing out BYD PHEV updates that were moved up by regulatory changes. That vehicle offers strong value (roughly 100,000 RMB or ~$14,000 USD less in 218 km trim) in the more mainstream premium MPV market, with high efficiency and an abundance of features and technology. However, the X9 EREV evolves beyond the typical PHEV MPV, with futuristic styling and over double the battery range. Even so, MPVs in Asia are different from the soccer-mom-mobile that many think of in the US. The size is similar, but the technology and features are far more advanced.
MPVs have become the vehicle of choice for executive travel in many parts of the world. The trend emerged largely in Japan, where MPVs went more upmarket over time, adding features and luxury. While our minivans became seen as a life compromise for parents driving to complete errands, their MPVs evolved into the aspirational choice to be driven in. The space is often used to fit business-class seating with just about every feature and technology you can think of. You can still use the MPV for more practical applications, but the positioning is more premium, typically above a comparable SUV. The Toyota Alphard is the industry-standard example. Mercedes and Volvo also launched MPV models in China earlier this year. MPVs have become flagship vehicles for brands.
So, it makes sense to launch advanced technology on a vehicle up against other flagship models in China. And the more you think about the application, the more sense it makes.
Screengrab from Launch Video
**Big Battery/Big Fuel Tank X9 EREV: 452 km of Battery Range and 1602 km Total **
XPENG launched their first EREV powertrain in the updated X9. EREVs are still seen as transitional products, but the transition is expected to take significantly longer than 5 years, with customer needs to be filled during the process. While we tend to think about China in terms of megacities like Guangzhou and Shanghai, the country is geographically diverse, with some sparsely populated areas. While the big cities have very high EV adoption rates, rural areas lag in adoption and infrastructure. In addition, many other countries also have sparse areas and underdeveloped infrastructure, limiting global adoption. These were seen as motivations to get into the EREV space. However, XPENG wasn’t just going to offer a “me too” product.
The 63.3 kWh LFP battery is the capacity of many BEVs, with an 800V architecture and 5C fast charging. In addition, as LFP batteries like to be regularly charged to 100% and the driver has a backup when the battery is depleted, the full range can be accessed in regular use. The 452 km (281 miles) of battery range would let the typical driver charge less than once per week and not have the engine come on. In extremely long journeys, the 60 l fuel tank would then extend total range to 1602 km, removing anxiety in even remote locations without charging infrastructure. Overall, the battery range and gasoline range are both longer than competitors with high efficiency ratings.
XPENG mentioned in the launch presentation that this wouldn’t be a compromised vehicle. It would operate as a fully-capable vehicle on batteries (unlike ICE-centric PHEVs with undersized electric motors) and would not sacrifice performance when the batteries are depleted (unlike some EREVs with undersized generator motors). In addition, the noise from the engine was mentioned as making a fraction of a decibel difference, basically being unnoticeable. However, starting at 350,000 RMB (~$49,000 USD), cost is not the motivating factor versus the BEV version of the X9.
While some may be thinking Chinese prices are going to be lower no matter what, the standard bearer in the Luxury MPV market, the GAC Toyota Alphard, starts at 899,000 RMB in China or $126,280 USD. This is not a low-cost segment and the XPENG is a well-priced NEV up against legacy competitors.
Overall, the vehicle continues the premium spaceship styling of the existing model, with incremental improvements to materials and amenities. It also continues with a refinement of their air suspension, adaptive dampening and rear wheel steering.
As He Xiaopeng, XPENG CEO, put it (in translated subtitles): “I feel like this is definitely the highest level of XPENG.”
Image Credit: XPENG
A New Level of ADAS and Autonomous Driving
Beyond the powertrain, intelligent driving was the other big news in the X9. XPENG already had a capable intelligent driving system with XNGP. Their new system steps up the capability. The base system uses one of their Turing Ai chips with 750 TOPS of computing power. Meanwhile, their higher spec trim (20,000 RMB or ~$1400 USD more expensive) triples the chip count and increases the computing power to 2250 TOPS, promising Level 4 ADAS. This leads to the Robotaxi to be launched next year, which adds a 4th Turing Chip for 3000 TOPS, using an X9 as the prototype demonstration vehicle.
However, the innovation goes beyond processing power. According to XPENG: “VLA 2.0 large model, which adopts a brand-new “Vision-Implicit Token-Action” path, innovatively eliminating the “language translation” step, and for the first time achieving end-to-end direct generation from visual signals to action commands, completely subverting the industry’s traditional “V-L-A” architecture, bringing a new physical model paradigm.”
It also has new capabilities focused on narrow roads and integrates new data, like hand gestures, which can help to navigate dense urban environments filled with unpredictable humans. The system also provides “Navigation-Free Automated Driving Assistance” Super LCC + Human-Machine Co-Driving, which can be activated globally without relying on navigation.” The system will be open source and work with partners like Volkswagen.
Of note, this does not use a proliferation of LiDAR and other sensors, like some competitors. Overall, the approach is more AI and processor-centric than sensor-centric. The reduced reliance on sensors is similar to Tesla, although arguably more advanced. Also, like Tesla, the technology is not limited to just cars and “can be cross-domain driven and applied to AI cars, humanoid robots, and flying cars simultaneously.” Speaking of the Iron robot, many thought that it looked almost too human.
Image Credit: XPENG
A Better Choice for Passengers
Speaking about Tesla, they recently debuted their Cybercab concept in Shanghai. From my perspective, a scissor door 2 seat form factor makes sense if you are driving to set Nürburgring lap records. But it loses some appeal as a taxi. Beyond sometimes needing more room, do you really want to crouch down into a relatively small passenger space?
The evolution of the MPV seems like a better fit for passengers. Reclining, heated, cooled and massaging seats, tray tables and onboard entertainment beyond what you would expect on business class air travel. Useable front and rear seats, when more than two people want to ride. More cargo space when you need it. The stability of a long wheelbase combined with short turning radiuses, comfort-oriented suspensions etc. Maybe it will not be able to pull off the kind of track dynamics that would have its passengers quickly losing their lunch, but more than capable of transporting people in comfort.
Whether you are riding in a vehicle driven by software or a human being, the form factor just makes sense for passengers. If you are focused on safely transporting your passengers, it would be a good fit. That said, different people have different needs and priorities. Some would prefer more traditional or utilitarian styling. Some might be willing to sacrifice technology and features for a lower price. But the X9 is a good option for a share of vehicle buyers and their passengers.
The powertrain is also not for everyone. Many here will still be opposed to any ICE engine and would prefer a battery-only vehicle with a couple hundred more km of range. However, 452 km could lead people to charge less than once a week and only run on battery power. And they could still have enough extended range to travel out of all but the most remote regions of the planet. Other people might find the battery range is more than they need for regular use. Different strokes for different folks.
However, vehicles like the X9 help to spread technology. They are poised to make autonomous taxis suited to a wider range of users. The EREV capability also starts to address the specific use cases that are not unique, but significantly different than the typical EV early adopter. As geographically diverse countries like China start looking at expanding EV adoption beyond 60%, addressing the range of use cases becomes more important. Technology developed for one use case can then extend to other vehicles and other brands. As clean technology spreads to countries in varying levels of development, evolving to meet the varied needs of global customers will become even more important.
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