In Australia, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand Xpeng has proclaimed a “new age of trust and intelligence” as it formalizes its local operations in the country; there are many unanswered questions as this battles with its regional distributor in court.
In a statement, Xpeng Motors Australia Pty Ltd (XPENg ANZ) says it has hired ‘deep expertise and renowned experience in the Australian automotive industry’.
While it hasn’t confirmed who is on this team, former GWM Australia chief operating officer Hidesuke Takesue said last year he had become ‘senior executive consultant’ on LinkedIn that a person was in the role of.
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Xpeng G6
The firm also explains that it’s ‘very soon working’ to set up a dealership network across large cities in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
While it has not been confirmed when launch will be scheduled to be a service or aftersales operation, Xpeng ANZ says there’ll be customer support infrastructure (including services and after sales operations) in time for its launch.
It also hasn’t said what support existing Xpeng customers will receive in this intervening period.
It is releasing it says ‘We have decided to evolve our market presence into a direct factory-backed model so that [our] sophisticated global technology can be delivered in its purest and most effective form.
The direction of this means that Xpeng AANZ can be fully responsible for foster and build an all-new dealer network, which matches the future of intelligent mobility.
He said ‘We understand that the landscape is changing and we are committed to the long-term stability and continuity of Australian market.
It is our mission to foster respectful and professional relationships with new dealers, vendors & partners who will be joining us on this journey. ” , ‘I’m sure it is worth reading.
Insolvency firm Cor Cordis seized control of 197 vehicles last month, as Xpeng’s Australian distributor TrueEV entered administration.
They were sworn in as administrators on March 19, 2026, who were called “by instrument”. It appears that this means a lender, which may have offered money to buy or import vehicle stock, has taken over this stock as the loan terms were not met.
In May 2024 TrueEV was voted the sole importer, distributor and retailer of Xpeng products in Australia. delivery of it began in August 2024, Xpeng Motors Australia registered as a private company on January 16, 20025.
Aside from that, there is still a legal case against Australian Federal Courts. Xpeng is listed as applicant, with the applicants being armies of xpenge itself Guangzhou (Giltzhou Yiaopeng Motors Trading Co Limited), Shenzhen – ‘Xianzhee & Supply Chain Management Co Ltd and pen G MotorS Australia Pty Limited.
The Australian reports TrueEV filed suit against the Chinese automaker for “unconscionable conduct”, and after initial proceedings the trial will kick off in October.
The Aussie distributor claims Xpeng used it to build its brand locally but “systematically undermined” its operations from late 2024 onwards, before warning that the company had terminated its exclusive distribution deal – signed April 30, 20 24 – just months ago on January 1, 2026.
In The Australian it further claimed that Xpeng did not offer new models until the Chinese automaker itself was allowed to enter the Australian market, which would have created an unusual dual distribution network.
Further, it alleged that “Xpeng unilaterally altered the approval processes and requirements for authorising franchised dealers and service centres”, and directed the distributor to delist some dealers (and services partner Ultra Tune) which blocked part of TrueEV’s local network.
In a five-year deal, TrueEV and Xpeng were said to have invested an unknown amount in creating ’15 dealers, 57 smash repairers and 48 service centres’.
Xpeng G6 – facelifted model
Xpeng told the court that its sales and service network would “work much better” if its local arm also distributed vehicles, but it was not yet in business.
TrueEV further claimed that Xpeng approached some of TrueV’s franchised dealers directly to form its own deals with them, and also approached finance partners to ask them to stop funding TrueE.
The distributor argues this conduct violates Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct, and that as a franchisee it should have been compensated for an early termination of its contract with Xpeng.
This legal action comes as the Australian Government promises long-awaited protections for franchised car dealers, due this year.
Xpeng X9
TrueEV announced late last year that 2026 would be a huge year for the Xpeng brand, with an updated G6 mid-size electric SUV, a new G9L large electric SUV, and the X9 large electric people mover all set for launch.
The rank was the X9, and first cab off of the rank had been scheduled to be announced in the first quarter (January to March) of 2026 ahead of first customer deliveries in second quarter(April to June) – the same time the updated G6 was due to reach customers.
TrueEV CEO Jason Clarke previously conceded the company has had “some growth pains that we’ve got to resolve from time to time”, telling childcareman.xyzlast December that “availability of stock, availability of parts, they’re forever a challenge”, but also saying there can be a “disconnect in expectations” with such a young brand.
The rollout of more models was intended to help build trust in the brand and appeal to different buyers.
No other car brands in Australia are sold or marketed by TrueEV, which does not distribute or retail any of the brand’s own cars. Xpeng retail locations were at the end of 2025, and it was scheduled to be with “at least” 25 by the close of 226.
Xpeng sales figures were never reported to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) for publication in monthly VFACTS sales reports, nor did it provide these to Electric Vehicle Council such as Tesla and Polestar do.
However, the company confirmed in December it had delivered over 2000 Xpeng vehicles since launching the brand here.
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