Chinese EV maker explores its first pickup truck as part of global expansion, targeting key markets such as Australia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng is considering entering the highly competitive pickup truck segment with its first-ever ute, a move that could position the brand against future rivals such as the Tesla Cybertruck, Toyota HiLux EV, MG U9 EV, and KGM Musso EV.
The announcement comes as Xpeng accelerates its international expansion strategy and looks to strengthen its presence in markets where utility vehicles remain a major part of consumer demand.
Speaking to media in Melbourne, Xpeng Vice Chairman and President Brian Gu acknowledged the popularity of utes in countries such as Australia, parts of Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Gu noted that while pickup trucks are not a significant vehicle category in China, they play a vital role in several global markets. He said the company is actively evaluating the segment as part of its future product planning.
Australia, in particular, remains one of the world’s strongest ute markets. Despite growing demand for electric SUVs, utes accounted for 16.6% of total new vehicle sales during the first half of 2026.
Models such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux have dominated sales charts for years, highlighting the importance of the segment.
Currently, Xpeng’s global lineup is built around four primary vehicle platforms and consists mainly of SUVs and passenger vehicles.
Large models such as the G9L and GX offer substantial size and capability, but they rely on monocoque construction rather than the ladder-frame architecture commonly used in pickup trucks and off-road vehicles.
Industry observers believe that if Xpeng proceeds with the project, it will likely require the development of an entirely new platform. Ladder-frame construction is preferred in the ute segment because of its durability, towing performance, and off-road capability.
Gu acknowledged that building a pickup would require a different engineering approach due to unique chassis requirements. However, he confirmed that the company is actively studying the opportunity.
Xpeng has not revealed whether a future ute would be fully electric or utilize its Kunpeng extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology. Either option could help the automaker compete in a rapidly evolving market increasingly focused on electrification.
A successful ute program could also pave the way for rugged SUV models, similar to how Ford uses its Ranger platform to underpin the popular Everest SUV, expanding Xpeng’s presence in adventure and utility-focused vehicle segments worldwide.