EV Maker Xpeng Charts Steady Global Expansion Despite Tariff War

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng Inc. is ramping up its global expansion, despite the intensifying trade war between Washington and Beijing, and the European Union’s punitive tariffs against Chinese cars.

Xpeng hosted its first global launch of a flagship vehicle, the X9 minivan, in Hong Kong on Wednesday — attended by more than 800 journalists, and electric cars owners from 30 countries and regions. The event came after Xpeng announced plans to localize production for the Indonesian market and set up an R&D center in Germany.

Xpeng’s X9 electric vehicles during a launch event in Hong Kong.

Photographer: Lam Yik/Bloomberg

The timing shows that despite the volatile relationship between the US and ...