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China’s Xpeng edges closer to selling right-hand drive EVs in Hong Kong, appointing Malaysian firm as local distributor
- ‘Today marks a major milestone in Xpeng’s go-global strategy,’ company president Brian Gu says in a statement
- Sime Darby aims to open a flagship store to distribute Xpeng’s right-hand drive G6 sport-utility vehicle and X9 multipurpose vehicle in the third quarter
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Daniel Renin Shanghai
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng has taken a significant step towards tapping the right-hand drive market after forming a partnership with Sime Darby group of Malaysia to distribute its cars in Hong Kong.
It is poised to become the first major Chinese electric car assembler to build tailor-made vehicles for local customers when sales of its premium EVs fitted with preliminary autonomous driving systems start in the third quarter of this year.
“Today marks a major milestone in Xpeng’s go-global strategy,” Brian Gu, president of Xpeng, said in a statement on Tuesday. “With our advanced smart driving technology and innovative mobility solutions, we are committed to providing Hong Kong car owners with smarter, more convenient and environmentally friendly driving experiences.”
Sime Darby Motors, a unit of Kuala Lumpur-based automotive to property conglomerate, aims to open a flagship store in Hong Kong to sell Xpeng’s right-hand drive G6 sport-utility vehicle and X9 multipurpose vehicle in the third quarter, Xpeng said in a statement.
Xpeng currently assembles only left-hand drive vehicles, most of which are sold on the mainland.
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