<div id="readability-page-1"><blockquote><ul><li>Xpeng will open VLA 2.0 test drives across 732 stores in China starting March 11.</li><li>Analysts view the technology's rollout as a key driver for Xpeng's sales recovery.</li></ul></blockquote><figure id="attachment_137418"><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026031001363968.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1600" height="900" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026031001363968.jpg"/><figcaption id="caption-attachment-137418">(Image credit: Xpeng)</figcaption></figure><p>Xpeng is set to begin nationwide test drives for its second-generation Vision-Language-Action (VLA 2.0) autonomous driving system, a move analysts see as a crucial step for the company's sales recovery and technological leap.</p><p>The test drives will officially launch on March 11 across Xpeng's 732 stores in China, covering models including the all-new P7 Ultra, G7 Ultra, and X9 Ultra, according to a Weibo post on Tuesday.</p><p>Xpeng said that VLA 2.0 will deliver a driving experience on par with seasoned human drivers and welcomed comparative reviews against other smart driving systems.</p>    <div>        <p><span>Join us on </span>            Telegram            <span> or </span>            Google News        </p>    </div><p>Deutsche Bank analysts believe the performance enhancements of VLA 2.0 will be the primary driver of Xpeng's sales recovery in 2026.</p><p>In a research note on Monday, analyst Wang Bin's team said their evaluation showed the system delivered a comprehensive leap forward, reaching new heights in smoothness, all-scenario capability, and efficiency.</p><p>Although Xpeng started 2026 on a weak note with sales volume in the first two months down 42% year-on-year, deliveries are expected to recover sequentially, the team noted.</p><p>Deutsche Bank forecasts Xpeng's full-year 2026 volume to reach 530,000 units, representing a 23% year-on-year growth.</p>                    <div>        <p>Xpeng monthly deliveries</p>                <p><span>                <span></span>                2024            </span>                        <span>                <span></span>                2025            </span>                        <span>                <span></span>                2026            </span>                    </p>                                                    </div>            <p>Morgan Stanley described VLA 2.0 as a &#34;bold leap forward&#34; in a March 2 research note, arguing it will help convince investors that Xpeng is more than just a car company.</p><p>Xpeng frames its overall autonomous driving strategy as &#34;Physical AI,&#34; an approach centered on the decision to develop a proprietary multimodal foundation model from scratch.</p><p>The company claims the system boosts overall driving efficiency by 23% while ensuring safety, with efficiency gains reaching as high as 76% on narrow roads.</p><p>To provide computing power, Xpeng developed a vertically integrated technology stack combining its in-house Touring chip. This software-hardware co-design allows the chip to achieve an 82.5% utilization rate.</p><p>Volkswagen will be the first external launch customer to adopt Xpeng's second-generation VLA.</p><p>Xpeng plans to roll out VLA 2.0 to the Ultra versions of the all-new P7, G7, and X9 in late March, with other models receiving over-the-air (OTA) updates in April. Overseas markets will receive the technology in 2027.</p><p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026031001364761.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1200" height="1600" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026031001364761.jpg"/></p>    <div>        <div>            <p><img width="768" height="432" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026030714540638-768x432.jpg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.cnevpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026030714540638-768x432.jpg"/>                            </p>        </div>        <div>            <p>Xpeng CEO confident in self-driving leap, welcomes peers including Tesla's Musk to experience it</p>            <p>Xpeng's CEO has expressed strong confidence in its VLA 2.0, welcoming global competitors to come to China and experience the system.</p>                    </div>    </div>                                                                                    </div>

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<p>Xpeng will launch VLA 2.0 test drives across 732 stores in China starting March 11, a move seen as crucial for the company's sales recovery. Analysts from Deutsche Bank predict that the new autonomous driving system will enhance performance and efficiency, potentially leading to a 23% year-on-year growth in sales by 2026. The system is designed to deliver a driving experience comparable to human drivers and will be rolled out to various models, with international markets expected to receive it in 2027. Xpeng's CEO is confident in the technology's capabilities.</p>

- Xpeng will begin nationwide test drives for its VLA 2.0 autonomous driving system across 732 stores in China starting March 11.  
- Analysts, including those from Deutsche Bank, view the rollout as pivotal for Xpeng's sales recovery, projecting a 23% year-on-year growth in 2026.  
- The VLA 2.0 system is expected to enhance driving efficiency significantly and will first be adopted by Volkswagen before being available in overseas markets in 2027.

Xpeng to kick off VLA 2.0 test drives on Mar 11 as analysts see autonomous driving leap