Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand. Xpeng has promised a “new era of trust and intelligence” in Australia as it formally sets up its local operations, although there are many unanswered questions as it battles its local distributor in court.
Xpeng Motors Australia Pty Ltd (Xpeng ANZ) says it has appointed a new local leadership team with “deep expertise and a proven track record in the Australian automotive industry”.
While it has not been confirmed who is part of this team, former GWM Australia chief operating officer Hidesuke Takesue confirmed on LinkedIn last year that he had taken on the role of “senior executive consultant”.
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The company also says it is immediately working to establish a dealer network in major cities New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.
Xpeng ANZ promises that there will be customer support infrastructure, including service and after-sales operations, in time for launch, but has not yet confirmed when that launch will take place.
It also didn’t say what support existing Xpeng customers will receive in the meantime.
“To ensure that (our) advanced global technology is delivered in its purest and most efficient form, we have decided to evolve our market presence to a direct factory-supported model,” the company said in its press release.
“This alignment allows Xpeng ANZ to take full responsibility for promoting and building an entirely new dealer network that is perfectly aligned with the future of smart mobility.
“We recognize the changes in the current landscape and remain deeply committed to the long-term stability and continuity of the Australian market.
“Our mission is to cultivate professional, mutually respectful relationships with new dealers, vendors and partners who will accompany us on this journey.”
Xpeng’s Australian distributor TrueEV went into administration last month when insolvency firm Cor Cordis took control of a total of 197 vehicles.
On March 19, 2026, these administrators were appointed “by deed.” This appears to indicate that a lender, which may have provided funds to purchase or import vehicle inventory, attempted to take control of that inventory because loan conditions were not met.
TrueEV was appointed as the sole importer, distributor and retailer of Xpeng products in Australia in May 2024. Deliveries began in August 2024, while Xpeng Motors Australia was registered as a private company on January 16, 2025.
Legal action is also ongoing in the Australian Federal Court. TrueEV is listed as the plaintiff, with the defendants being branches of Xpeng itself – Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Trading Co Limited, Shenzhen Xiaopeng Motors Supply Chain Management Co Ltd and Xpeng Motors Australia Pty Limited.
The Australian TrueEV has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the Chinese automaker for “unconscionable conduct,” and according to initial proceedings, the trial will begin in October.
The Australian distributor claims that Xpeng relied on establishing its brand locally but “systematically undermined” its operations from the end of 2024, before terminating its exclusive distribution agreement signed on April 30, 2024 just a few months ago, on January 1, 2026.
Accordingly The AustralianIt was further alleged that Xpeng refused to supply new models unless the Chinese carmaker itself was allowed to enter the Australian market, leading to an unusual dual distribution network.
It also reportedly claimed that Xpeng unilaterally changed the approval procedures and requirements for franchise dealer and service center authorization and ordered the distributor to delist some dealers and service partner Ultra Tune, effectively blocking part of TrueEV’s local network.
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However, Xpeng reportedly told the court that its sales and service network “would function much better” if its local branch also distributed vehicles.
TrueEV further claimed that Xpeng contacted some of TrueEV’s franchised dealers directly to enter into its own agreements with them, and also reached out to financial partners to suggest that they stop funding TrueEV.
The distributor argues that this conduct breaches Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct and that as a franchisee it should have been compensated for early termination of its contract with Xpeng.
This lawsuit comes as the Australian government promises long-awaited protections for franchised car dealers this year.
TrueEV announced late last year that 2026 would be a big year for the Xpeng brand, with an updated G6 midsize electric SUV, a new G9L large electric SUV and the X9 large electric people mover all set to launch.
The first taxi in the series should be the X9. Pricing and specifications should be announced in the first quarter (January to March) of 2026, before first customer deliveries in the second quarter (April to June) – at the same time the updated G6 should reach customers.
TrueEV CEO Jason Clarke previously admitted that the company had “some growing pains that we need to address from time to time.” Daily SparkzLast December, he said that “stock availability and parts availability are always a challenge,” but also said there could be “differences in expectations” with such a young brand.
Introducing more models should help build trust in the brand and appeal to different buyers.
TrueEV does not distribute or sell any other automotive brands in Australia. The company had 18 Xpeng retail locations at the end of 2025 and plans to have “at least” 25 by the end of 2026.
The company has never reported Xpeng sales figures to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) for publication in monthly VFACTS sales reports, nor has it provided them to the Electric Vehicle Council, as Tesla and Polestar do.
However, the company confirmed in December that it had delivered over 2,000 Xpeng vehicles since the brand’s launch here.
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