Chinese EV maker XPeng outlined plans to scale up in Germany, targeting an increase from an expected 3,000–3,500 cars in 2025 to roughly twice that level in 2026. According to Markus Schrick, who heads XPeng’s German operations, the company is aiming for a five-figure annual volume by 2027. After pilots in Norway and the Netherlands, Germany has become the brand’s focal market in Europe.

To drive that growth, XPeng intends to broaden its partner network without asking dealers to invest in dedicated showrooms. The company is leaning on a pragmatic retail model and on giving partners a clear path to earn money selling urban-focused electric cars. The low upfront burden for retailers lowers the barrier to entry and could help the brand build coverage beyond the largest cities.

At the same time, Schrick took issue with the idea of a blanket internal-combustion ban in the EU, arguing that customers should keep the freedom to choose, and that the shift to cleaner technologies is better advanced through support than through restrictions. The stance dovetails with XPeng’s broader approach: make the proposition appealing and practical, rather than rely on pressure to move the market.