Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng is preparing to roll out its mass-market Mona series to international markets in 2026, intensifying competition with both domestic rivals and established global automakers.
In an interview with CNBC, CEO He Xiaopeng confirmed that the company’s international expansion is progressing faster than anticipated and, for the first time, signaled that Xpeng is open to acquiring other EV manufacturers.
The Mona series was introduced in China last year with the Mona M03 electric coupe, launched at a starting price of 119,000 yuan (just under $17,000). He revealed that the vehicles will debut in Europe next year, marking the first public confirmation of the plan.
“In 2026, you can expect a variety of Mona products launched into the Chinese and European markets, as well as in the rest of the world,” He said. “I believe by then, what we launch will be very proven and very excellent vehicles.”
The Mona models are expected to be more affordable than Xpeng’s higher-end vehicles, such as the P7 sedan and G6 SUV, positioning the company to capture broader market segments. The move comes as Chinese automakers, including BYD, expand aggressively in Europe and as traditional manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen scale up their own electric offerings to counter the influx of Chinese EVs.
Xpeng began its global push in 2020 with Norway and has since expanded into Germany, France, and other markets. The company had originally targeted a presence in 60 countries and regions by the end of 2025, but has already reached that milestone ahead of schedule.
At the IAA Mobility auto show in Munich, Xpeng showcased its upgraded Next P7 sedan in Europe for the first time, highlighting its ambitions in the region. Still, the company faces challenges such as EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, which have led automakers to explore building vehicles within Europe. He confirmed Xpeng is considering European manufacturing but has yet to commit to a timeline.
Meanwhile, the price war in China’s EV market continues to escalate, with regulators calling for a halt to excessive competition. He reiterated his view that only a handful of Chinese carmakers will survive, noting that industry consolidation has already begun.
Xpeng itself has taken initial steps in acquisitions, purchasing the electric car development arm of ride-hailing giant Didi in 2023. He confirmed the company remains open to further deals. “If we have the opportunity, then we want to acquire some companies,” he said. “Manufacturing companies, EV companies are always possible.”
EV WORLD | Rimac Technology Reveals Next-Gen EV Battery Innovations at IAA
