Xpeng Opens Munich R&D Center, Signals 'In Europe, With Europe' Strategy
Xpeng Motors establishes European R&D headquarters in Munich, focusing on localized development and autonomous driving for European roads.
Xpeng Motors officially opened its European R&D center in Munich, Germany in September 2025, marking a significant step in the company’s “In Europe, With Europe” strategy.
The Munich Facility
The new R&D center focuses on:
- Localization - Adapting vehicles for European preferences and regulations
- Autonomous Driving - Calibrating XPILOT for European roads
- Co-innovation - Partnering with European suppliers and engineers
- Market Research - Understanding European customer needs
Why Munich?
Munich is a strategic choice for several reasons:
| Factor | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Auto industry hub | Access to talent from BMW, Audi, suppliers |
| Engineering talent | Strong technical university pipeline |
| Central location | Easy access to all European markets |
| Existing ecosystem | Many EV startups and suppliers nearby |
”In Europe, With Europe” Strategy
Xpeng’s approach differs from some Chinese competitors:
- Local R&D - Not just selling Chinese cars, but developing for Europe
- Local hiring - Building European engineering teams
- Local partnerships - Working with European suppliers
- Local adaptation - XPILOT trained on European driving patterns
European Model Launch Timeline
| Model | European Launch | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Xpeng G9 | 2024 | Available |
| Xpeng P7 | 2024 | Available |
| Xpeng G6 | Q4 2025 | Launching |
| Xpeng P7+ | Jan 2026 | Just launched |
The P7+ launched in Europe at €46,600—competitive with the VW ID.7.
XPILOT in Europe
The Munich center is particularly focused on Xpeng’s autonomous driving system:
- Navigation Guided Pilot (NGP) expected Q4 2026 for Europe
- Highway and city driving assistance
- Trained specifically on European road conditions
- Compliant with EU regulations
European Focus
Xpeng’s Munich R&D center demonstrates the company’s commitment to European markets:
- Localized development for European preferences and regulations
- Munich learnings directly benefit European customers
- Continued expansion of European model lineup
Competitive Position
Xpeng joins other Chinese automakers establishing European R&D:
| Company | European R&D Location |
|---|---|
| Xpeng | Munich, Germany |
| BYD | Planned (location TBD) |
| NIO | Munich, Germany |
| Geely | Gothenburg, Sweden (via Volvo) |
For more on Xpeng’s technology and models, see our Xpeng Brand Overview.