Chinese electric car manufacturer XPeng on Sunday unveiled a new platform architecture for building vehicles that will serve as the foundation for future production models and reduce development and manufacturing costs.
Smart Electric Platform Architecture (SEPA) 2.0 is expected to shorten R&D cycles for future models by 20% and reduce the cost of adaptation. Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and smart infotainment systems are up 70% and 85% respectively.
The modular and interchangeable vehicle platform will support a range of vehicle models, including XPeng’s upcoming G6 coupe SUV, which debuts at the Shanghai Motor Show 2023 on Tuesday, Xpeng president Brian Gu told reporters on Sunday.
The G6 will be the first vehicle built on the SEPA 2.0 platform. Gu said about 80% of his components in the architecture of each upcoming model will be compatible with future models.
Cost-focused event coming as XPeng rival sparks china price war. Tesla sparked a price war October, when the automaker cut prices for models produced at its Gigafactory in Shanghai. In January, Tesla pumped in more fuel with another discount, making locally-built cars about 14% cheaper than in 2022.
Rivals such as XPeng, Nio, Volkswagen AG, Mercedes-Benz Group and Ford Motor all followed suit, wreaking havoc on China’s already faltering auto market.
The China Automobile Manufacturers Association last month called for an end to the price war, saying it was not a long-term solution to low demand and excess inventories.
“Focusing on our ability to offer attractive products at affordable prices will become even more important,” Gu said on Sunday.
G9 SUV, It hit the Chinese market last September and starts at RMB 309,900 (approximately US$45,000). XPeng’s P5 sedan starts at around 160,000 RMB (around US$25,000).
XPeng hasn’t released pricing for the G6 yet, so it’s not clear what the automakers are targeting with SEPA 2.0. XPeng CEO He Xiaopeng said on Sunday that he needs to reach 3 million units a year and globally if the automaker wants to survive for more than a decade.
XPeng delivered 18,230 EVs in the first quarter of this year, down nearly 50% year-on-year. The company hopes its new P7i sports sedan, new G6 and his yet-to-be-announced seven-seat utility vehicle will help drive sales this year.
Sepa 2.0
XPeng’s SEPA 2.0 architecture includes front and rear integrated aluminum die casting technology. This is the technique Tesla has been using since his 2020 to manufacture a single piece of the vehicle’s underbody.
XPeng said the platform is compatible with multiple vehicle platforms with wheelbases from 1,800 mm to 3,200 mm, and can support a range of vehicle models, from hatchbacks and sedans to MPVs and pickup trucks.
The architecture also incorporates “Cell Integrated Body” technology, which integrates the battery pack into the vehicle body. This technology provides more cabin space, increases battery safety and improves the center of gravity for better driving performance.
The smart manufacturing system will be built by 2025, according to the company, adding that all manufacturing facilities will integrate SEPA 2.0 through technology upgrades.
Xiaopeng said: “This will bring rapid advances in technology to our customers as standard, speed up software upgrades, reduce staggering costs, and improve the product experience.”
XPeng also said the new architecture platform will help make Xmart OS, the company’s infotainment service, available to all owners. Xmart OS is XPeng’s multi-sensor software and hardware intelligent cockpit, and a key feature is the voice assistant. The automaker said on Sunday that SEPA 2.0 will shorten his R&D cycle for voice software by 50% and reduce the cost of voice assistant services by 50%.
“Ultimately, SEPA 2.0 structurally represents our ,” said Xiaopeng.
