Xpeng said on Friday it has officially entered New Zealand, adding a new right-hand drive market to its international footprint as the automaker continues its overseas expansion.
The move marks Xpeng’s first international market entry in 2026. The company has opened its initial service centres in Auckland’s North Shore and in Christchurch, offering sales, vehicle delivery and after-sales services to local customers.
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Both locations are showcasing the Xpeng G6, the company’s most affordable sport utility vehicle, which competes in the midsize electric SUV segment dominated by models such as the Tesla Model Y. Xpeng said it plans to further expand its New Zealand service network in 2026, with additional sites planned in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga.
“Opening the first service centres marks a crucial step in Xpeng’s mission to realise its smart mobility vision in New Zealand,” said Damien Royce, the company’s marketing director for the country. He added that the facilities will allow local consumers to engage more deeply with Xpeng’s products and technology.
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New Zealand and neighbouring Australia are right-hand drive markets, a configuration that differs from Xpeng’s home market in China and from the United States. Several Chinese automakers have already established a presence in the region, including Geely Auto, Zeekr and IM Motors.
Interest in the region from Chinese EV brands continues to grow. Last month, Chris Chen, head of global business at Nio, told the Wall Street Journal that Nio plans to launch its electric vehicles in Australia and New Zealand this year, with a market debut expected in the second half of 2026.
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Xpeng’s New Zealand entry underscores the company’s broader strategy to expand beyond China and build scale in overseas markets, particularly those adopting electric vehicles at a faster pace.
