I’ve never heard of the Chinese EV brand XPENG until they showed off their Land Aircraft Carrier in CES this year. The part van, part flying pod drew crowds in Las Vegas, and made enough noise to put the company in the radar of the west. XPENG invited us over to witness the launch of the 2025 model of their X9 electric MPV, and we got to know a bit more about the global EV brand and what the brand is planning for the Philippines.

XPENG beginnings

XPENG was founded in 2014 by He Xiaopeng, a former Alibaba exec, Henry Xia and He Tao in Guangzhou. They had a vision: create smart, eco-friendly vehicles that would compete with the best. Today, XPENG’s a major player in EVs, listed on the New York and Hong Kong stock exchanges. They have a robust model lineup that includes the G6 SUV, P7+ sedan, and Mona M03, but they’re not content on just producing things that roll on wheels.

Land Aircraft Carrier

Enter XPENG’s Land Aircraft Carrier. Part EV and part VTOL, this six-wheeled electric van has a two-seat electric VTOL stashed at the back for when traffic gets too much or you just want to cruise the skies. The “mothership” has 621 mile of range as well as autonomous driving capabilities. It carries the eVTOL, which deploys and unfolds automatically, has six rotors and a 270-degree cockpit view. XPENG says that the eVTOL is easy to learn, and since it’s stuffed to the brim with flying assists and AI, anyone can learn it and master it under an hour. Just imagine using the XPENG land aircraft carrier to park somewhere and bypass horrendous Philippine EDSA traffic.

What’s interesting about the Land Aircraft Carrier is the fact that it’s not a concept device that’s only meant to draw headlines – it’s a product that XPENG is intending to release next year, just as soon as they clear the regulatory concerns in China. It’s priced at under $300,000 or around Php 17 million in our currency, and XPENG says that it’s achieved 3,000 pre-orders already.

XPENG in the Philippines

You’d think that the fact that XPENG invited us over to Hong Kong to witness the launch of their new MPV would be a sure sign of their arrival in the Philippines. Unfortunately, it’s not that clear-cut. The brand says it has still no concrete plans to enter the country, which already has a multitude of Chinese brands operating and selling EVs and ICE cars. We think that’s a mistake – the market in the Philippines is ripe for EV adoption, and XPENG brings a bunch of things to the table that are uniquely theirs.

For one thing, XPENG’s obsessed with AI. Their Turing AI chip powers Level 4 autonomous driving, leaving rivals like BYD and Geely in the dust. For Filipino drivers stuck in Metro Manila traffic, XPENG’s hands-free tech in cars like the G6 could make commutes way less stressful.

The company’s forward-thinking and innovative vehicles like the Land Aircraft Carrier is also a unique selling point for tech-obsessed consumers that want something as intelligent as a Tesla without the price point.

Drivers worried about brand longevity will also like the fact that XPENG delivered 30,453 vehicles in February 2025. They also have a partnership with VW, and success in Europe proves they’re legit, which matters for Filipinos looking for a brand they can trust.

XPENG, with He Xiaopeng at the helm, isn’t just making EVs—they’re reimagining how we get around. The Land Aircraft Carrier, blending road and sky, is proof of their bold vision. With top-notch tech, great prices, and ideas that fit the Philippines’ unique needs, XPENG’s a stellar addition to the Chinese car brands lighting up the local market. Whether you’re cruising Manila in a G6 or dreaming of flying over Bohol, XPENG’s got something exciting in store.