XPENG has officially landed in New Zealand, opening its first physical sites this January in Auckland North Shore and Christchurch. The Chinese brand, which positions itself as an explorer of future mobility, isn’t just selling another electric car. It’s bringing a full AI ecosystem to Kiwi roads, starting with the G6 Ultra Smart Coupé SUV.
The G6 isn’t exactly a budget runabout, but it’s priced to stir up the premium segment. In New Zealand, the RWD Standard Range starts at $59,990, while the top spec AWD Performance variant hits $72,990. This Performance model is a bit of a win for locals, given it packs a 0-100 km/h sprint of 4.1 seconds, something the Australian market missed out on. Under the skin, the G6 runs an 800V architecture, meaning you can juice the battery from 10% to 80% in about 12 minutes if you find a fast enough charger.
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ABOVE: XPENG G6
The tech inside is where XPENG tries to separate itself from the pack. The cockpit is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and features an 18 speaker XOPERA sound system. Drivers get a 14.96 inch central screen and a 10.2 inch digital dash, all running the Xmart OS. Because the brand develops its own software and hardware in house, the car receives continuous over the air updates to refine its driver assistance features.
Damian Royce, XPENG New Zealand’s Head of Marketing, says the January openings are a defining moment. He notes that Kiwi drivers have a strong appetite for innovation and sustainability. The new dealerships, operated in partnership with the Miles Group, offer full sales, service, and test drive facilities to meet that demand.
While Auckland and Christchurch are the first to go live, XPENG is moving fast. The rollout strategy includes new locations in Wellington, Hamilton, and Tauranga later in 2026. Globally, the company is scaling up, having delivered over 420,000 vehicles in 2025. Beyond cars, they are even working on humanoid robots and flying vehicles, signaling a long term play that goes far beyond just shifting metal. For now, the focus is firmly on getting Kiwis behind the wheel of the G6 and proving that Chinese AI can handle the local commute.
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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