For any manufacturer, sales and production must be closely aligned to ensure healthy business growth. If sales are strong but production can't keep up, sales will be hindered by production limitations. Conversely, if production outpaces sales, it leads to excess inventory, wasted capacity, and even increased production costs. Currently, Xpeng Motors is an example of a company experiencing growth in both production and sales.
Xpeng Motors' Dual Growth in Production and Sales
On October 20th, Xpeng Motors celebrated the rollout of its 10.000th Xpeng P7 from its self-built Zhaoqing Smart Factory. It took less than 160 days to go from the production of the first P7 in early May to reaching this milestone, setting a new record for the fastest single-model production ramp-up among the new wave of Chinese automakers. With the establishment of the Zhaoqing Smart Factory, Xpeng's production capacity is now on solid ground.
In terms of sales, data released by Xpeng Motors shows that the P7 delivered 2.573 units in September, setting a new monthly delivery record for the model. The brand's cumulative sales have surpassed 14.000 units, thanks in large part to the Zhaoqing factory. In the increasingly competitive new energy vehicle (NEV) market, Xpeng Motors has demonstrated its strength through solid sales performance.
Besides production capacity and sales, product quality is crucial to a company's survival. Let's delve into what makes the P7. Xpeng's flagship model, so compelling.
A Design as Simple as "Governance by Doing Nothing"
The exterior design of the Xpeng P7 was initially conceived with aerodynamics in mind, successfully achieving a drag coefficient of just 0.236Cd, which set a record for the lowest drag coefficient among Chinese cars at the time (a record later broken by the BYD Han EV with a coefficient of 0.233Cd). It's worth noting that at a speed of 80 km/h, 60% of a sedan's power is used to overcome air resistance, making the drag coefficient critical to enhancing the high-speed range of an electric vehicle.
The futuristic design of the P7 evokes the Daoist principle of "Wu Wei" or "effortless action." Its minimalist body features almost no sharp lines. The LED headlights that span the front of the car can display various patterns, turning heads wherever it goes. The frameless doors, hidden door handles, and large 245/45 R19 wheels stand out on the sleek sides of the car. At the rear, the car features a taillight design that echoes the front, giving it a cohesive look.
Minimalist Yet Sophisticated Interior
The interior design of the P7 continues the Daoist theme, with almost no physical buttons inside the cabin. The style is as minimalist and futuristic as the exterior, though the P7's flagship status ensures it is anything but "simple" in terms of features. For instance, the interior is wrapped in extensive soft-touch materials, giving it a premium feel.
Visually, the two large glass panels inside the P7 are the most striking elements. One is a connected screen setup consisting of a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 14.96-inch central control screen. In addition to the central screen, the P7 also features a panoramic glass roof, which provides excellent light transmission and effective heat insulation thanks to a special coating. For audio, the P7 is equipped with a Dynaudio sound system, boasting 18 speakers throughout the cabin. Combined with the ambient lighting that offers multiple color options, the audiovisual experience is top-notch.
Highly Intelligent User Experience
High intelligence has always been a strong suit of new automakers, and the Xpeng P7. equipped with the Xmart OS in-car system, excels in this area. The Xmart OS is centered around the large 14.94-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard, which carries forward the design elements of the car's exterior. The user interface is simple and intuitive, making it as easy to use as a smartphone. The "Xiao P" intelligent voice assistant is highly capable, allowing users to control navigation, music, climate settings, and even driving modes via voice commands. However, the system currently lacks support for continuous dialogue, leaving room for improvement.
In terms of intelligent driving assistance, the P7 features the XPILOT 3.0 system, equipped with 31 sensors and over 20 active safety features, allowing for Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities. Unfortunately, due to current regulations in China, L3 functionality is not yet permitted on public roads, so the system is currently limited to L2 autonomous driving, with L3 capabilities to be enabled via OTA updates in the future.
The Performance Capabilities of the Xpeng P7
The high-performance all-wheel-drive version of the P7 is powered by a dual-motor setup, with the front motor generating 120 kW and the rear motor producing 196 kW, for a total system output of 316 kW (430 hp) and a peak torque of 655 Nm. This allows the P7 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds, delivering impressive performance. The braking system, supplied by Brembo, provides a stopping distance of just 35 meters, ensuring excellent braking performance. The P7 has an NEDC range of 562 km, which is competitive in its price range. For those who prioritize range over performance, the P7 also offers three rear-wheel-drive variants with a range of up to 706 km, although they come with a single 196 kW rear motor, resulting in a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.7 seconds. When choosing a P7. consumers will need to balance their preference for range versus performance.
Conclusion
As Xpeng Motors' flagship model, the P7 stands out in many areas. In terms of design, the P7 embodies a minimalist yet practical approach, as if every design choice was made with functionality in mind. Its materials and features are exceptionally high-end, defying its modest design. In terms of performance and range, the P7 ranks among the leaders in the NEV market. While it has secured a significant position in China's NEV market, the future remains uncertain as established NEV brands like BYD ramp up production of their Blade Battery, and Tesla, known for its market influence, could drop prices at any moment. The NEV market is ever-evolving, and the future of the P7 is still unpredictable.
