Electric car maker Xpeng aims to double overseas sales, to launch EVs in Mexico

BEIJING, (Reuters) – Electric vehicle maker Xpeng said on Friday it ​aims to double overseas sales this year ‌to raise the contribution from international markets to 20% of revenue, as it prepares to launch its G6 ​and G9 models in Mexico on ​March 25.

The Mexico launch marks the company’s latest ⁠step in an overseas expansion drive as ​Chinese EV makers look abroad for growth amid ​intense competition and slowing demand at home.

Xpeng reported its first-ever quarterly profit in the fourth quarter, beating estimates and ​joining Nio, Li Auto and Leapmotor among China’s ​so-called “new forces” of automakers that achieved the break-even milestone.

“The brand ‌will ⁠officially launch in Mexico at the end of March, introducing the G6 and G9 to deepen its presence in Latin America,” founder and ​CEO He ​Xiaopeng said ⁠during its post-earnings call, according to the company.

XPeng has increasingly focused on ​overseas markets as a key growth ​driver, ⁠expanding in Europe and other markets outside China. The company has previously said it aims for ⁠overseas sales ​to contribute 70% of ​total profit by 2030.

Reporting by Qiaoyi Li, Zhang Yan and Ju-min ​Park; Editing by Joe Bavier and Jane Merriman