Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xpeng has commenced the delivery of 750 electric vehicles, including the G9 SUV and P7 sedan, to Israel, signifying its ambitious foray into the Middle Eastern market. This substantial shipment, originating from Xpeng’s headquarters in Guangzhou, represents the company’s largest export to an overseas market to date.
The company hosted a ceremony to mark the occasion, underlining the significance of its expansion into Israel. Notably, this shipment is the second to Israel this month, although specific details regarding the earlier shipment were not disclosed. According to a spokesperson from Xpeng, the first batch of vehicles bound for Israel left Shanghai earlier in the same month.
Xpeng anticipates that the G9 SUVs and P7 sedans will be officially available in the Israeli market in October, with distribution facilitated by Freesbe, a prominent regional dealership. Eric Xu, Vice President and Head of Xpeng’s international business, affirmed that these vehicles have been tailored to meet local consumer preferences, based on the European versions of the models.
The strategic partnership between Xpeng and Freesbe, formerly known as Carasso Motors, was unveiled on July 10. This partnership aims to bolster Xpeng’s sales and service network within Israel. Freesbe, a publicly traded company in Israel, represents several prominent automotive brands, including Nissan, Infiniti, Renault, and DACIA. The company’s lease4u subsidiary is among the leading rental companies in Israel.
Xu expressed the company’s optimism regarding Israel’s EV market potential, stating, “We have seen the huge potential of Israel EV market and would like to bring local customers a new level of sophistication with our leading technologies and premium EV products.”
In an ambitious move, Xpeng and Freesbe plan to extend their sales network to cover major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, by 2024. This expansion signifies Xpeng’s commitment to establishing a significant presence in the region.
Israel serves as Xpeng’s inaugural venture into the Middle East market, with plans to continue its globalization efforts by expanding into neighboring countries in the near future. This strategic move underscores Xpeng’s determination to contribute to the ongoing evolution of the global EV landscape.
