<div id="readability-page-1">Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng is aiming to double its overseas sales in 2026, as it battles domestic rivals such as BYD and Leapmotor for a bigger slice of the global market. The Guangzhou-based company expects to deliver more than 90,000 vehicles to customers outside mainland China this year – about 15 per cent of its targeted annual output – as it accelerates its international expansion amid intensifying competition at home, according to two people familiar with the matter. Part owned by Volkswagen, Xpeng plans to lean on its growing dealer network to lift sales in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Some of its higher-end models, including the G6 sport utility vehicle and X9 multipurpose vehicle, have already gained traction with EV buyers in those markets. Xpeng shipped 45,008 vehicles overseas last year, up 96 per cent from 2024, it said in a statement earlier this month. The company declined to comment on its export target for this year. Xpeng’s overseas push mirrors a broader shift among Chinese EV makers, which are stepping up efforts to sell abroad as growth slows in the domestic market. BYD, the world’s largest EV assembler, is targeting a 24 per cent increase in overseas deliveries this year, aiming to ship 1.3 million vehicles to international customers, Li Yunfei, its general manager of branding and public relations, said at a media briefing in Shanghai on Saturday. Stellantis-backed Leapmotor has also raised its ambitions. In December, chief operating officer Xu Jun said the company expected overseas sales to account for 10 per cent of total deliveries in 2026, up from 5 per cent in 2025.  “Slowing growth at home will prompt carmakers to explore untapped potential abroad,” said Paul Gong, head of China automotive research at UBS. “Established distribution channels, increased brand recognition, as well as their finished production facilities abroad, will help them enlarge their market share.” China, the world’s largest electric vehicle producer, shipped 2.6 million EVs last year – including battery electric and plug-in hybrid models – up 104 per cent year on year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. However, UBS expects export growth to cool this year, coming off the high base established in 2025. Deutsche Bank forecast mainland passenger car sales would fall 5 per cent in 2026, while UBS projected a 2 per cent decline, citing industry overcapacity and softening government support. EV buyers, who were exempt from the 10 per cent purchase tax last year, are now paying a 5 per cent levy as Beijing gradually phases out the incentive. The tax is set to return to the full 10 per cent rate in 2028. Chinese EV makers are also building manufacturing capacity overseas to reduce costs by assembling vehicles locally. Last month, Xpeng announced a partnership with Malaysian firm EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB) to produce its intelligent electric vehicles in Malaysia, targeting local and wider Southeast Asian demand. The facility will be Xpeng’s second production base in the region, following the launch of a completely knocked-down assembly line in Indonesia, which began supplying domestic customers in July. Completely knocked-down assembly refers to factories where key components are manufactured in China and shipped overseas for final assembly.</div>

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<p>Chinese EV maker Xpeng aims to double overseas sales by 2026, targeting over 90,000 vehicle deliveries outside China this year. The company, part-owned by Volkswagen, is expanding its dealer network in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Xpeng's overseas sales surged 96% last year, reflecting a trend among Chinese EV manufacturers to explore international markets amid slowing domestic growth. Other companies like BYD and Leapmotor are also increasing their overseas ambitions. Xpeng is establishing production facilities abroad, including a partnership in Malaysia to meet local demand.</p>

- Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng aims to double its overseas sales in 2026, targeting over 90,000 vehicles delivered outside mainland China.  
- The company plans to leverage its growing dealer network in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, amid increasing competition from domestic rivals like BYD and Leapmotor.  
- As domestic growth slows, Chinese EV manufacturers are intensifying international efforts, with Xpeng establishing production capacity in Malaysia and Indonesia to cater to local markets.

Xpeng targets overseas sales surge in 2026 as China EV battle goes global