Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng Aims for L3 Autonomous Driving by H2 2025

Xpeng, a leading Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced plans to achieve L3 autonomous driving by the second half of 2025. The company’s CEO, He Xiaopeng, revealed the ambitious target in an internal letter, emphasizing the significance of this milestone for both the company and the autonomous driving industry.

L3 autonomous driving, which allows the vehicle to manage most driving tasks while still requiring the driver to remain alert, represents a major step forward in the development of self-driving technology. Xpeng is set to become one of the first companies to offer this level of technology, which He Xiaopeng compared to the iPhone 4 era of mobile phones, symbolizing a transformative shift in the automotive industry.

AI Advancements and the Role of DeepSeek

In his internal letter, He Xiaopeng discussed the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the development of autonomous vehicles. He particularly highlighted the role of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, in driving innovation in this space. DeepSeek's cost-effective AI solutions are believed to be accelerating advancements in self-driving technologies, enabling Xpeng and other companies to push the boundaries of what is possible in AI-powered driving systems.

As AI technologies become more advanced and affordable, He Xiaopeng believes they will play a key role in revolutionizing the global automotive industry, allowing for broader adoption of autonomous vehicles across various market segments.

Xpeng’s plans for L3 autonomous driving are part of the company’s broader strategy to invest heavily in hardware, chips, software, and large AI models. These investments are seen as critical to keeping the company competitive in the rapidly evolving market for smart vehicles.

Global Expansion Plans

Along with its focus on autonomous driving, Xpeng is also looking to expand its global presence. The company aims to sell its models in over 60 countries and regions by 2025. However, CEO He Xiaopeng acknowledged challenges that the company faces in improving its Net Promoter Score (NPS), a metric used to measure customer satisfaction.

Xpeng's goal is to become the top exporter among China’s new energy vehicle brands. With its cutting-edge smart driving systems and expanding international market, Xpeng is positioning itself to be a key player in the global EV market.

Statements from Xpeng CEO He Xiaopeng

He Xiaopeng, CEO of Xpeng, stated:

"I believe large model-based AI will accelerate autonomous driving to a higher level."

"Currently, global autonomous driving is ushering in a new inflection point. For this reason, we have made cutting-edge layouts in hardware, chips, software, large models, and products."