Xpeng eyes global launch of mass-market Mona brand in 2026: CNBC

Xpeng eyes global launch of mass-market Mona brand in 2026: CNBC

Xpeng, a leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced plans to launch its mass-market Mona brand globally by 2026. The company's CEO, He Xiaopeng, revealed the strategy during an interview with CNBC, highlighting the company's aggressive expansion into overseas markets [2].

The Mona brand, which was initially introduced in China last year with the Mona M03 electric coupe, is expected to be priced competitively and could challenge traditional automakers like BMW and Mercedes. The new models will likely be cheaper than Xpeng's higher-end models, such as the P7 and G6, potentially increasing competition in markets like Europe where traditional automakers have been launching their own electric vehicles [2].

Xpeng's global expansion is accelerating, with the company entering 46 global markets. The company's "In Europe, with Europe" strategy, announced at the IAA Mobility auto show in Germany, emphasizes the importance of the European market. Xpeng has already established its presence in 46 global markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Italy [3].

In addition to the Mona brand launch, Xpeng is also planning to open its first European R&D center in Munich. This new R&D hub will help the company localize its vehicles for the EU market and is part of the company's broader strategy to overcome challenges posed by the European Union's tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles [3].

Xpeng's global ambitions are not limited to Europe. The company is also planning to launch Robotaxi trials in China in 2026, along with the first mass-produced L4 autonomous vehicles. The company's own autonomous driving controller, the Turing AI chip, will be used in these vehicles, which will not rely on lidar [3].

The company's success in China, where it has been focusing on affordable electric vehicles, has laid the groundwork for its global expansion. The Mona M03 model, for instance, has been a bestseller, accounting for about 40% of its monthly sales [2].

Xpeng's aggressive global expansion comes at a time when Tesla is recording declining sales in the region. The company's strategy of offering competitively priced cars in overseas markets could further challenge traditional automakers and help Xpeng capture a larger share of the global EV market.

References:

[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/china-electric-vehicle-makers-move-munich-model-offensive-2509/
[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/08/xpeng-plans-global-launch-of-mass-market-mona-brand-in-2026.html
[3] https://carnewschina.com/2025/09/08/xpeng-raise-stakes-in-europe-and-announces-robotaxi-trials-by-2026-in-china/