(Last updated: 21.11.2025)

Before Departure

After one and a half years as an XPENG owner and active beta tester, it’s finally time to visit XPENG’s hometown — Guangzhou.
From November 5–6, I’ll be attending the XPENG AI Day 2025 and the Global Super XPENGer event, hosted at XPENG’s new headquarters and manufacturing facilities.

This will be a rare opportunity to see how the technology and innovation I’ve followed from afar actually come to life behind the scenes.
It’s also a chance to meet some of the teams I’ve collaborated with remotely.

I’ve chosen to extend my stay until November 12 — partly to experience Guangzhou and China for the first time, but also to spend additional days meeting XPENG engineers and teams I’ve worked closely with over the past year: the ADAS team, the Smart Cabin and XOS team, the Mobile App team, and the OTA team, among others.

Over the coming days, I’ll update this page with photos, reflections, and short videos — a kind of travel log from inside XPENG’s world of smart mobility.

For now, preparation mode — very soon, the real journey begins.

A Glimpse of Where I’m Heading

Before the trip begins, here’s a look at where it all happens — XPENG’s new global headquarters in Guangzhou.

This short drone flythrough captures the scale and atmosphere of the place where XPENG’s innovation takes form: from AI and ADAS development to design, software, and future mobility concepts.

Official Event Information

XPENG AI Day 2025 – “Emergence”

XPENG will host its annual AI Day on November 5, 2025, highlighting the company’s latest breakthroughs in Physical AI, robotaxi development, and in-house ADAS systems.

Event broadcast:
• 3:00 PM Beijing Time (GMT+8)
• Available in English via XPENG’s YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok channels.
• English replay available shortly after the live session.

XPENG’s official press release from October 30, 2025: XPENG to Host 2025 XPENG AI Day | XPeng Inc.

Travel Plan

Itinerary (Preliminary):

• Nov 3: Departure from Copenhagen, Denmark
• Nov 4: Arrival in Guangzhou, China. Hotel check-in and first impressions
• Nov 5: XPENG AI Day 2025 – “Emergence” (Headquarters)
• Nov 6: Exploring Day – Factory tour and City & Cultural Exploration
• Nov 7–11: Extended stay for additional meetings (ADAS, XOS/Smart Cabin, Mobile App, OTA) and city exploration
• Nov 12: Departure from Guangzhou
• Nov 13: Arrival in Copenhagen

Arrival in Guangzhou

The trip from Denmark to China went smoothly. We arrived at the Intercontinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center hotel on Tuesday afternoon local time. After the long journey, there was no official program planned, so the afternoon and evening were spent settling in and getting some rest. Some people went out to explore the area around the hotel, while I opted for a quiet start: room service, a bit of unpacking, and taking in the view of the Pearl River and the city skyline from my room on the 25th floor. It was the perfect way to recharge for the days ahead.

Wednesday

On Wednesday morning, our group met in the hotel lobby for the official start of the program. The atmosphere was calm and positive – a mix of anticipation and curiosity.

Shortly after, we arrived at XPENG’s new headquarters, where a welcome team was waiting outside. Photos and video recordings had been arranged, giving the visit a far more official tone than I had expected. It felt a bit unfamiliar, but it was also a clear sign that XPENG considered our visit important.

After the welcome, we headed inside for the first item on the schedule: a meeting with two representatives from the Smart Cabin team – the team I’ve been in closest contact with over the past year and a half. We were split into smaller groups so everyone could speak directly with the people behind many of the features we use daily in the vehicle. I had previously met one of them, Wang Chao, during his visit to Denmark last autumn, so it was nice to continue that dialogue on XPENG’s home turf.

Meeting with the Smart Cabin Team

The meeting with the Smart Cabin team was divided into two parts. In the first part, they asked if we had any specific areas we wanted to provide feedback on. I’ve shared a lot of input with them over the past year and a half, so I mainly let the other participants speak this time. Several of them were relatively new owners, so their questions focused more on practical details and interior choices than on the software itself. It led to a calm and relaxed conversation, and I contributed when there were areas where my experience or technical background could add something.

In the second part, the team showed us some of the features they are working on for future updates. One of the key areas was a new version of XPENG’s voice assistant, based on a Vision-Language Model (VLM). It can understand multiple languages simultaneously and handle more natural speech. They showed us an internal video where the assistant switched fluidly between different languages without any pause. The video summed up the idea quite well: “What does it matter if languages are different? With VLM, seamless multilingual switching will be a reality.”

It was exciting to get a glimpse of the direction for the next generation of the cabin system, and several in the group immediately saw the potential, especially for international users, where mixed-language conversations are common.

Our time with the team was limited, so we agreed that after returning home I would send a more detailed list of questions and observations. That way, the dialogue can continue at a more natural pace, and I can follow up on the topics we didn’t have time to explore fully during the visit. It made the meeting feel less like a one-off session and more like the beginning of the next chapter in our ongoing collaboration.

XPENG AI Mobility Experience Center

After the meeting with the Smart Cabin team, we continued to the XPENG AI Mobility Experience Center. It functions as an exhibition where XPENG presents its history, its vision, and the ideas behind the new headquarters. The entire space is designed as a guided route through the company’s development – from the first vehicle models to today’s factories and production methods.

The exhibition is divided into sections, each with its own theme and a looping video presentation. Here we could see how XPENG’s factories work with robotics, quality checks, battery production, and body assembly. Several components were displayed in a disassembled state, making it easy to see the structure of the platforms, safety elements, and engineering choices. It offered solid technical insight without feeling heavy or overwhelming.

A fun detail was that at some of the stations we were guided by an IRON robot, which moved between the posts and introduced the next section of the exhibition. It was unexpected and added a bit of life to the walkthrough. Later, a member of the Charging team told us that she had actually never seen IRON move before. That made us smile – it felt almost like we had received a small VIP version of the tour.

The IRON robots were also on display as part of the exhibition, not as showpieces, but as a natural part of the story of XPENG’s work with physical AI alongside their vehicles. In that sense, the exhibition highlighted how broadly XPENG thinks – from vehicle production and software to robotics and more experimental ideas.

Overall, the center worked well as an introduction to XPENG as a company. It provided a clear overview of their development history, their technical principles, and how they build things from the ground up. A calm and informative visit that fits well with the rest of the days program.

XPENG AI Day 2025

After lunch on Wednesday, we headed to one of the larger meeting rooms at XPENG’s headquarters to follow XPENG AI Day 2025. The event itself was held at XPENG’s conference center in Technology Park, where the main hall was filled with guests, investors, and international media. Our group followed the event via livestream on a large screen with English interpretation, which made it easy to follow the technical presentations.

AI Day serves as XPENG’s annual update on the company’s technological direction. Many of the themes built on what we had been introduced to during the previous day’s meetings, but here the developments were placed in a broader context.

One key highlight – especially from an international perspective – was the introduction of VLA 2.0, XPENG’s next-generation Vision-Language-Action model. VLA 2.0 has been trained on an enormous amount of real-world driving data, enabling the system to react more intuitively in complex traffic environments. XPENG explained that the model is designed to handle situations that would typically be considered “edge cases” in Europe, but which occur many times a day in China. This is where the difference between the Chinese and European versions of XNGP becomes clear: the volume of data available in China is far larger, which accelerates development.

The most talked-about moment during AI Day was the unveiling of the new Next Gen IRON robot, shown publicly for the first time. The robot moved far more naturally than previous versions – especially in its walking pattern – and this immediately sparked online speculation about whether the demonstration was entirely “real”. He Xiaopeng later responded on social media, posting additional videos of the robot in action, including a clip where the outer panels on one leg had been removed, revealing the mechanics underneath.

Our own “verification” came on Friday, when the same robot was displayed in the XPENG AI Mobility Experience Center alongside the previous IRON model. There we could stand right next to it, examine the details, and take photos, which made the presentation much more concrete and tangible.

Even though we followed AI Day remotely via livestream, the format worked well. It offered a compact overview of XPENG’s overall technological direction before we moved on to the next major point on the day’s program: the meeting with XPENG’s executive leadership.

Meeting with XPENG Managers and Executives

Late in the afternoon, XPENG had arranged a meeting with several of the company’s senior figures, including Madam Wang and Alex Tang. It was one of the more official items on the program, but the atmosphere remained relaxed and open.

The meeting began with Madam Wang, who spoke about XPENG’s development and the importance of having engaged owners who contribute actively in their home countries. She emphasized that the Super XPENGer program is not just a Chinese initiative, but something they want to expand internationally because owners’ input provides valuable insight into local needs and expectations.

Alex Tang then took over and shared some perspectives on XPENG’s international plans. It was clear that he sees the global market as an area with significant potential, and he offered thoughtful reflections on both the opportunities and challenges that come with operating outside China. He made no secret of the fact that XPENG is still learning when it comes to international customer relations.

One of the most interesting aspects was that the agenda didn’t feel rigid. After the initial presentations, we were invited to introduce ourselves one by one and then ask questions or comment on the areas we each follow most closely. It made the conversation natural and dynamic. Several topics came up – including some that probably weren’t part of the original plan, such as upcoming models and their potential international launch timelines. You could sense that the level of detail surprised them a little, but it also made the meeting more honest and spontaneous.

Madam Wang also expressed a wish for us to visit XPENG’s design center at some point – the place where future models are shaped. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible during this trip. I had tried to make it happen during the unofficial days, but several of the upcoming models had been moved to XPENG’s Shanghai office due to reconstruction in Guangzhou, so the timing wasn’t on our side. A pity, but hopefully possible on a future visit.

The meeting was originally scheduled for one hour, but the dialogue flowed naturally, and we ended up sitting there for more than two hours. That made the conversation feel less like a formal presentation and more like a genuine exchange of perspectives between us as owners and the people at XPENG who shape the strategy behind the scenes.

The meeting concluded with Madam Wang presenting each of us with a “Super XPENGer” award. Group photos and individual photos were taken, and the atmosphere was a mix of pride, appreciation, and a surprisingly warm down-to-earth tone. It was a fitting end to a day where XPENG showed a very human and open side of the company.

Super XPENGer – The Unexpected Recognition

I knew XPENG had prepared an official program for us, but I wasn’t expecting a camera crew to be waiting when we stepped off the bus in front of headquarters. It immediately gave the whole situation a more ceremonial weight, as if our presence genuinely mattered. I’m not usually someone who feels at home in front of a camera, so it took a moment to settle into the role, but at the same time it was clear that XPENG wanted us to feel welcome and appreciated.

The group of international participants was surprisingly diverse. On one end were the major TikTok creators with millions of followers, invited because their reach could elevate the brand globally. On another were people who had helped XPENG generate sales within their own networks. And then there was Stefan from Sweden and myself – the technical representatives. We were the ones who had spent countless hours on beta testing, bug reports, and discussions with owners in our respective countries. Three very different types of contribution, but together a picture of the broad, dynamic community XPENG aims to build.

The moment reached its peak when we were called up one by one to receive our award from Madam Wang Fengying. She is one of the most influential figures in China’s automotive industry, former CEO of Great Wall Motors, and now President and Vice Chairperson of XPENG. Receiving an award from her felt more significant than I had anticipated. I had assumed that the trip itself was the “thank you”. That’s why the recognition came as both a surprise and a strong confirmation that XPENG truly sees and values the work we’ve put in.

It also sparked a few personal reflections. I’m not employed by XPENG, and I’m not writing to act as a spokesperson. My role is to share experience, knowledge and perspective – not to be an advertisement. That’s why I hope the award is, above all, an acknowledgment of the work already done, and not a signal of expectations going forward. I estimate that I’ve spent between 500 and 800 hours over the past year and a half on feedback, testing and community work. I’m happy to continue, but only within clearer structures.

This was also one of the points Stefan and I raised in several of our meetings with XPENG’s managers and executives. We explained that we absolutely want to continue the dialogue, but so far the collaboration has been loosely structured. There have been moments where feedback didn’t reach the right teams, or where responses to reported issues never arrived. The goal isn’t to step back – but to work more efficiently, through clearer channels, so the time we invest has more impact and XPENG gets more out of the insights owners contribute.

XPENG told us they already have more than 1,000 Super XPENGers in China, and their ambition is to reach around 100 international members within the next year. That makes our group the very first – the original eleven. A special place to be. Not as ambassadors, but as the beginning of an international community where owners and developers meet at eye level.

Dinner at The Legend

The first official day wrapped up with a dinner at The Legend, a Michelin restaurant in Guangzhou. We were served traditional Chinese dishes in calm, classic surroundings. Several of XPENG’s international Customer Experience Managers joined the dinner, along with representatives from a German and a French XPENG dealership. XPENG was hosting a separate event for their dealers at the same time, so there was a natural overlap between the two groups.

The mood was relaxed, and most people seemed to need a moment to unwind after a day full of impressions. Conversations were quiet and informal, with the focus mainly on the food and settling down after the program. It made for a pleasant ending to the day – a chance to connect with people from different countries without diving into heavy technical discussions.

We returned to the hotel around 11 PM, making it a long day, especially considering the program had started at 9 AM. It was a relief to get back and rest, knowing that another full program day was waiting for us the next morning.

Thursday

Visit to XPENG Huangpu Factory

Thursday started early. We met in the hotel lobby at 8:30 AM and drove toward XPENG’s Huangpu Factory in the eastern part of Guangzhou. The factory is one of XPENG’s newer production facilities – it received its official production license in December 2022 and began operations in February 2023. It is designed for a capacity of around 120,000 vehicles annually in its first phase.

The complex consists of several large buildings, but our tour focused on one of them – the hall where the final assembly takes place. We were led onto an elevated walkway running along the ceiling above the assembly line. From there, we could move at a calm pace while the guide explained what was happening below. Photography was not allowed, which naturally shifted the attention toward the work itself.

In this hall, the cars arrive already painted, and from there the final components are installed: wiring harnesses, doors, glass roofs, interior parts and much more. The work is organized into stations, each with its own dedicated team. The cars move along long rolling platforms through the hall, and once a station is complete, the car glides on to the next. The whole process felt clean, structured and quietly efficient, even with many cars being worked on at the same time.

We saw P7+, G9 and X9 on the line that day. Earlier stages of the production process – metalwork, welding and painting – were not part of the tour, so the assembly hall offered a glimpse into the final phase of building the vehicle.

After the assembly line, we were guided to a separate exhibition hall. Here, all of XPENG’s current models were displayed in an environment very similar to the flagship store at headquarters. It was a more open and relaxed part of the visit, where we could move around freely, sit in the cars and ask questions.

Outside, we could also see how cars are tested under different conditions as part of quality control. This mirrored what we had seen illustrated in the XPENG AI Mobility Experience Center.

The factory is located in the same area where XPENG has now opened the world’s first mass-production line for Airdge flying vehicles. It was briefly mentioned in the exhibition, but that part of the facility was not included in the tour.

The visit lasted around an hour and a half and offered a clear look at how XPENG handles assembly and quality assurance in practice – and how much of the production already takes place in their newer facilities in Guangzhou.

XPENG & Aridge Product Experience

After the factory visit, we returned to headquarters for lunch in the large canteen. From there, we continued to the area surrounding the building – the part XPENG refers to as Technology Park.

This is where both the Airdge exhibition and XPENG’s flagship store are located, giving us the chance to walk around freely, get close to the displays and sit in several of the models.

The Aridge exhibition showcases the different development stages of XPENG’s flying vehicles. We could see construction elements, cabin layouts and design concepts up close, arranged in a way that allowed us to explore at our own pace – without it feeling like a formal guided presentation.

Right next to it was XPENG’s flagship store, where all their current models were displayed in their latest iterations:

• Mona M03
• G6
• G7
• G9
• P7+
• Next P7
• X9

It was a calm and open format where we could sit in the cars and talk with staff whenever we had questions. The model that drew the most attention was the Next P7, which many spent extra time exploring.

As part of the visit, we were also given a short demonstration drive with an XPENG employee showing the Chinese version of their XNGP system. The drive wasn’t long, but it was enough to feel how smoothly the system moved through dense urban traffic.

Guangzhou has a completely different rhythm compared to Danish cities – faster, more complex and constantly shifting. Yet the car flowed through traffic as if it anticipated movements well in advance. It stood in clear contrast to Denmark, where traffic is far more structured and predictable. The difference offered a good illustration of why XNGP evolves so quickly in China – the system is trained in an environment where something is always happening.

Overall, the visit to Technology Park became a well-balanced mix of exhibitions, hands-on experiences and the chance to see technology in action.

Culture, City Life and the Pearl River

After our visit to XPENG Technology Park, the schedule moved straight into the cultural part of the day. The timeline was still tight, but this section of the program took place within a compact area, so we walked between the different stops.

The first visit was to the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall – a large traditional Cantonese complex filled with detailed wood carvings, ceramic figures and classic southern Chinese architecture. It was a fascinating place to explore, rich in small details, and even with many visitors, it was easy to sense the history of the site. We joined a short guided introduction and then had time to walk around on our own.

From there, we continued on foot to the former residence of Bruce Lee’s family. It was a brief stop, but an interesting addition that brought yet another cultural layer to the afternoon.

As part of the same route, we also visited a local cultural center, where we could try a series of activities: basic kung fu, calligraphy and traditional paper cutting. These were designed as small “taster sessions” of local crafts and traditions – and even with limited time, it gave a good impression of some of the cultural expressions that shape everyday life in the city.

When the activities ended, we walked together to a nearby pickup point where the bus was waiting. From here we were driven to the riverfront, where the final item on the day’s schedule took place: an evening boat cruise on the Pearl River.

On the boat there was a buffet, and we could move freely between the dining area and the open deck. Guangzhou transforms completely after dark, and the illuminated skyline along the river made the cruise a beautiful way to end the day. The atmosphere was calmer than earlier, and many used the time to talk more informally and let the day’s impressions settle.

The cruise ended around 9 PM, after which we were driven back to the hotel.

Friday

Lunch with the Charging Team

Friday was the first day without an official XPENG program, and for the first time on the trip we had a bit of room to slow down. Stefan and I stayed at the hotel, took care of some practical things and recharged before the meetings we had arranged ourselves.

The first appointment of the day was a lunch with the Charging team. It is one of the teams we have had ongoing contact with through our beta testing and feedback, but whom we had never met in person before. The lunch took place at a relaxed pace, and the conversation was less technical than at many of the other meetings. Instead, it drifted naturally into everyday life, cultural differences and insights into how their work unfolds behind the scenes.

The most important part was simply putting faces to the names. We got a much clearer sense of the people we usually communicate with, and it added a new dimension to the dialogue we have had from Europe over time. It was a great way to start the unofficial days before the deeper meetings later on the trip.

Smart Cabin Team

One of the things we had hoped for during the unofficial days was a longer follow-up meeting with the Smart Cabin team. It is one of the teams we have worked most closely with over the past year and a half, and we were hoping for more time with them. We had already met them in person on Wednesday, which was a great first session, but there were several topics and questions we would have liked to explore in more depth.

However, it turned out not to be possible this time. One of our main contacts was on her way to Europe to test upcoming features, and the other had already returned to Shanghai, where she is normally based. So the hoped-for extra meeting did not happen, even though it was high on our wish list.

The dialogue continued much faster than expected, though. The team was in Europe in the days following our return home, and both Stefan and I were invited to go for drives with them to test some of the new features in European surroundings. We landed in Denmark on Thursday morning, and later that same day we both went out for test drives with them – each in our own car – giving feedback directly on the spot.

We were not the only ones involved in this small “Europe program”.

Peter, the automotive YouTuber from the Netherlands and one of the 11 Super XPENGers, had gone for a drive with them earlier in the week, and Alexander from Norway, who Stefan and I work closely with as beta testers, also had his own test session, even though he did not participate in the China trip. After the visit to Copenhagen, the team continued on to Nice in France to test further.

So, while we did not get extra time with the Smart Cabin team in Guangzhou, the dialogue continues online. We have agreed to send them a consolidated list of questions and observations after returning home, and we are still working on that.

Meeting with the ADAS Team

Friday afternoon was very dedicated to ADAS. It is one of the areas where we, as owners notice the most visible improvements, and also raise the most questions, because driver-assistance systems play such a big role in everyday driving. So there was a particular sense of anticipation when we sat down with the ADAS team at headquarters.

Right from the start, the team made an impression with its scale and structure. More than 1,200 people work across XPENG’s development centers on ADAS technologies. Of those, around 100 are dedicated to the international version, and several work across both lines to ensure that knowledge and solutions flow freely between markets. The ADAS team occupies two full floors in the T1 building, which says a lot about how central the technology is to XPENG’s product strategy.

Two key people joined the meeting. One is responsible for international ADAS development and is based in Shanghai. The other leads the European version and works out of Munich. Both were in Guangzhou for AI Day 2025, which gave us a unique opportunity to speak directly with those responsible for the priorities in our market.

On the software side, we were given a clear overview of the differences between China and Europe. In China, XPENG runs several ADAS variants because vehicles use different hardware platforms. Internationally, however, there is only one unified version, which creates a more consistent experience – but also means that changes must work across all models from day one.

A central topic in the conversation was the challenges in the XOS 5.8 update, where the Copilot function was introduced. Several international owners have experienced issues, and the team confirmed that they have now identified the causes of the reported problems. Fixes are already underway, but they emphasised that they will be extra cautious before releasing the next beta. Internal testing has been significantly increased to ensure that the system works not only in Chinese traffic scenarios, but also handles European conditions reliably. Having an R&D division in Munich now makes local testing much easier.

As the ADAS team put it:

“We only want to release something when it is mature enough – even for a beta version. It’s a difficult balance, because we don’t want to overpromise or create unrealistic expectations. We aim to release a new beta before the end of November, and if it’s ready sooner, you will get it sooner. We know the wait has been long, and we are sorry we haven’t been able to deliver our best technology yet. Please keep sharing your experiences – both technical and around communication – because it helps us improve.”

We also discussed the very different experiences owners have had with XOS 5.8 in Europe. Some describe the system as unpredictable in certain scenarios, especially due to unexpected braking – myself included. Others feel the systems have never been better. The wide range of opinions shows how different road environments, traffic patterns and personal expectations can be. If someone feels uncertain about the system’s behaviour, it is always an option to use ADAS more selectively or wait for the next version until it feels stable again.

In the middle of all this, there was also room for more personal detail. The test route in North Zealand that I often use to evaluate the system has now become one of their fixed internal test routes. It shows how actionable feedback can be when it is well documented and captures scenarios that are otherwise hard to reproduce in controlled environments.

During the meeting, we were shown a glimpse of their internal roadmap for 2025 and 2026. It contains a range of exciting features and technologies that will undoubtedly become important for international owners , though, of course, we cannot describe them in detail. I am regularly included in internal material that is not shared outside XPENG, and I see that as recognition of the work that goes into being a beta tester – and the trust it requires.

To round off the afternoon, the team took us on a drive in an X9 running their latest Chinese software. The system is very close to Level 3 capability, and for the first time we experienced it in practice. In China, you can already activate the assistant from your driveway, enter a parking spot at your workplace and let the car handle most of the journey itself. During the demonstration, we drove from XPENG headquarters through Guangzhou’s dense traffic, into a parking garage and back again. What impressed us was not just how smoothly the car drove, but how calmly the system managed complex situations in a constantly shifting urban environment.

The team made it clear that the goal is to deliver the same capabilities to international customers. But the regulatory landscape outside China is significantly more complex, with major differences in certification, liability and behavioural requirements. This is why advanced features are only released when XPENG is certain that they are both technically stable and legally supported in each individual country. Much of the waiting time is because of this – not because of the technology itself.

As with the Smart Cabin team, we agreed to continue the dialogue after the trip. We will send additional questions and observations once we are home and have gone through our notes. Even small clarifications can make a significant difference when features are adapted to European conditions.

Tour of HQ and the XPENG AI Mobility Experience Center

After the meeting with the ADAS team, we were given a more informal tour of XPENG’s headquarters. A member of the Charging team showed us around – a small detail that in itself says a lot about XPENG’s culture: people help each other across departments when there are visitors, and they make time even when it is not part of their primary role.

The tour gave us a look inside some of the office areas where the development teams work on a daily basis. There were no big presentations or staged demos, but rather an honest glimpse into everyday life: open workspaces, glass walls, prototypes on desks and all the small details that together reveal a lot about a company’s culture. It becomes clear very quickly that the teams work close to each other, share space and solve problems in the kind of busy, informal environment you typically find in innovative tech companies.

Part of the tour also took us up to the rooftop, where XPENG has built sports facilities for employees. These are small things, but they say something about the intention of creating an environment where people can stay focused and also take a break when they need to. The tour could easily have lasted much longer if we had asked about everything, but we did not want to take unnecessary time from an employee who had been brought in mainly to help as a guide.

We therefore chose to end the tour at the XPENG AI Mobility Experience Center, where we had only had limited time during the official part of the visit. This time, we almost had the entire center for ourselves, which made a noticeable difference. The exhibitions reflect XPENG’s vision for the future of mobility and the new ways drivers will interact with their vehicles, and without time pressure we could take it all in at our own pace. It gave us the chance to look more closely at the installations and notice the small details that are easy to miss when walking through with a larger group.

All in all, it became a more personal and peaceful end to the day, giving us the opportunity to experience XPENG’s ideas in a format that felt less like a “stage” and more like genuine immersion.

The Weekend

After a couple of intense days at XPENG, the weekend gave us time to explore Guangzhou on our own. It was a much-needed chance to shift gears, breathe a little and let the impressions settle – and also an opportunity to see the city where XPENG operates every day. It was a welcome contrast to the more technical meetings.

Saturday began with a walk through the city and a visit to Canton Tower together with Joachim from XPENG Denmark. It is one of those places where you truly feel the scale and rhythm of the city: modern, dense, tall and full of contrasts. Later in the day, we continued to the area around Poly Plaza, with its mix of restaurants and shops, where we had dinner. It became a quiet and relaxed end to the day – and a good moment to reflect on the many experiences from the first XPENG days.

Sunday took us in a slightly different direction. We visited both Baiyun Leather City and New Asia International Electronic & Digital City – two places where Guangzhou really shows its role as a trade hub. It is an almost overwhelming mix of everything from leather goods and luggage to electronics, components and everything in between. There is something both chaotic and deeply fascinating about walking through areas where thousands of small shops and wholesalers sit side by side.

On Sunday evening, we rounded off the weekend with a wonderful dinner at Beiyuan Cuisine together with Maggie from XPENG Sweden and Joachim from XPENG Denmark. It was an informal and cosy end to the weekend, where we shared impressions, funny moments and expectations for the upcoming meetings. It also helped tie together the experiences across countries, especially because we are all on the same journey as international XPENG owners.

Monday

Meeting with the App Team

Monday morning began with a visit to the App team, which is responsible for both the Chinese and the international version of the XPENG app – as well as the company’s websites. We were given a short tour of the department, and it was clear that the app is considered an essential part of the overall XPENG experience. Sam from XPENG Denmark also joined the meeting and contributed with perspectives on the European user experience.

The app is organised into two main areas:

1. Communication and services – the XPENG account, events, articles, support, webshop and all the features that do not directly control the vehicle.
2. Car Control – the part of the app where users interact directly with the car.

This first meeting focused on the first category.

The team showed us a range of features available in the Chinese version of the app but not yet in the international one. This included the webshop for accessories and lifestyle products, a points system where users earn points when they drive, and a detailed statistics module showing usage of XNGP and other driver-assistance features.

They also demonstrated their gamification feature with leaderboards based on how much drivers use the advanced assistance functions, and an integrated social feed where XPENG owners can share photos and everyday experiences. The blend of guides, articles and user content felt similar to what we normally see in Facebook groups and on xpeng.guru – just built directly into the app.

During the meeting, we mentioned that we would also like to speak with the person responsible for the Car Control features, whom we have been in contact with for quite some time during beta testing of the international software. She was not present in the first session, but the team quickly arranged a separate meeting later in the day after the OTA meeting. That gave us the opportunity to dive more directly into the features that matter most in daily use.

We ended the meeting by having lunch together with the App team, which added a bit of extra time to follow up on questions and talk more informally about user experiences and expectations. After that, it was time for the next item on the agenda: the meeting with the OTA team.

Meeting with the OTA Team

After lunch with the App team, the day continued with a meeting we had been looking forward to for a long time: the session with the OTA team. It’s one of the teams we, as beta testers, have been in most frequent contact with, so expectations were naturally high. Before the trip, I asked for a more detailed walkthrough of their software rollout strategy – both to understand their structure better and to pass on some of the suggestions that have built up over time.

The OTA team works in an area that usually runs quietly in the background, but which has a huge impact on how the vehicle feels in everyday use. They manage the entire pipeline: versioning, certification and the timing of international releases.

A key part of the meeting focused on XPENG’s current approach of publishing combined updates, where Smart Cabin improvements and ADAS updates are packaged together. I explained that this can create challenges internationally, because you sometimes end up in situations where one system works well, while the other needs urgent fixes – and everything gets delayed because the update is released as a single bundle.

My suggestion was that they consider separating Smart Cabin and ADAS into two independent update tracks, allowing improvements to be released without waiting for the other system to be ready.

We also discussed hotfixes, which XPENG currently uses only rarely. I suggested that targeted hotfixes could relieve pressure on major releases and solve isolated issues more quickly, especially when a bug affects many users but is technically simple to fix.

Another important point concerned the timing of beta cycles. We often receive beta versions very close to their planned release date, which means that feedback and bug reports cannot be implemented in the version we are testing, even when the team wants to address them. Instead, fixes get postponed to later versions. The OTA team acknowledged the issue and said they would look into adding more buffer time in their release plans, so feedback from beta testers can be used more effectively.

It ended up being a meeting where the value of the dialogue was evident on both sides. The OTA team were open and honest about the challenges, and it was clear that input from international users genuinely influences how they shape their processes going forward.

After the OTA meeting, the next item on the agenda was the more technical session with the Car Control team.

Meeting with the Car Control App Team

After the OTA meeting, the day continued with a session we had particularly been looking forward to: the meeting with the Car Control team. This is the part of the app users interact with the most in daily life – and also the area where we, as beta testers, have provided the most feedback over time. In Denmark, the menu is known as “My XPENG”, so it was especially valuable to meet our main contact person face-to-face while we were finally in the same building.

The meeting began with a brief introduction and an informal conversation, giving us the chance to properly greet each other after many months of online dialogue. From there, we moved on to some of the concrete challenges we often encounter as beta testers – especially around the feedback workflow. When a beta version transitions to a new iteration, workflows and reporting methods often change as well, which creates unnecessary extra work. We discussed the possibility of a more streamlined process, where feedback can flow more directly and without duplication across versions.

Another key part of the conversation focused on the translations in the app. Many of the Danish texts still carry traces of machine translation, which at times leads to errors or phrasing that feels unnatural. We suggested opening the door to a more direct collaboration on translations, either through better tools or by involving users who understand both the language and the context. The team received input positively and showed clear interest in finding solutions that would both improve quality and reduce correction work in the long run.

The tone throughout the meeting was constructive, and it was clear that the Car Control team values dialogue with beta testers, precisely because this area is so closely tied to practical user experience in everyday driving.

As with several of the other meetings, we didn’t manage to cover everything, so we agreed to continue the dialogue online, where we can follow up on the more detailed points at a calmer pace.

Meeting with the Product Team

The next item on the agenda was a more informal meeting with the product managers for the G9 and X9. Before the trip, I had been contacted by XPENG’s overall Product Manager for the entire model portfolio – someone I had previously met in Denmark. He had hoped to use the visit as an opportunity to discuss some of the upcoming models with us. Unfortunately, he fell ill on the day, but the meeting went ahead with the two managers responsible for the G9 and X9 respectively.

It turned out to be a very relaxed and enjoyable session, held in one of the exhibition areas inside XPENG’s Flagship Store. The product managers were genuinely curious about our input on both the current models and the next iterations. Amusingly, the G9 manager was someone I had met during my very first visit to XPENG back in the summer of 2024 – so it felt like a small reunion and a welcome chance to strengthen the relationship with the product team.

Naturally, we couldn’t resist trying to tease out a few more details about the upcoming “G9 2026” – a model for which only a handful of spy shots and very limited information currently exist. The product managers were open about the general design direction and priorities, but we weren’t allowed to see any images yet. It was clear that the project is still at a confidential stage where information is tightly guarded.

The conversation then shifted toward the X9. Here, we sensed that XPENG is fully aware that the model will be perceived differently in Europe than in China. Its size and price place it in a niche category, and we gave our honest view that the X9 will probably appeal to a smaller but very specific group of buyers in Europe. The product managers took this input seriously and made it clear that a European launch has not yet been finalized.

In the middle of the discussion, I also shared one of my personal wishes: a premium electric vehicle in the Golf- or T-Cross-size segment. In my view, there is a clear gap in the market for a smaller, high-quality EV – something that delivers the same premium feel as our G9, but in a more compact format. Many of today’s smaller EVs either feel cheaply built or lack character. The product managers listened with genuine interest – whether the idea takes root is something only time will tell, but it was satisfying to plant the seed directly with the people shaping XPENG’s future lineup.

All in all, it was a meeting that offered a clear insight into XPENG’s product strategy – and at the same time a rare opportunity to offer input that might influence models we won’t hear about for several years.

Wrapping Up Monday

After the meeting with the product managers, we had a bit of time for ourselves, so we decided to visit the XPENG AI Mobility Experience Center once more to take in the last impressions before heading home. This time we walked around entirely on our own – no schedule, no guide – which created a different kind of calm and made it easier to notice the small details you tend to overlook when you’re there as part of an official program.

Inside the exhibition, we unexpectedly ran into Joachim from XPENG Denmark, who, together with some of his Chinese colleagues, was filming social media content about the new IRON robot. It was fun to watch them work on finding the right angles and atmospheres – almost like a small behind-the-scenes moment in itself.

Afterward, we joined Joachim for a visit to the Airdge exhibition, which he hadn’t seen yet. By the time we left XPENG’s headquarters, the day had grown long, and it was well past 8 PM before we were back at the hotel. The rest of the evening was simply spent relaxing and letting the many impressions of the day settle.

Tuesday

Tuesday was the only day without official meetings on the schedule, yet it unexpectedly became one of the most meaningful days of the trip. After several intense days at XPENG, it offered space for practical tasks – and for a small mission I had hoped to complete.

Before leaving for Guangzhou, I had received a good piece of advice: bring small gifts for the people we were going to meet. That turned out to be a great idea. At every meeting, I was able to hand over a small gift bag with Danish butter cookies and Nørregade candies – a light, informal gesture that still carried a touch of home and appreciation.

I had also brought a couple of more personal gifts from Denmark. They were meant as a thank-you to Madam Wang, the highest-ranking XPENG representative we met during the official days. I had deliberately avoided giving them at the official sessions, because it would have felt wrong to do it in front of the other participants. Instead, I hoped a natural moment would appear later, but that turned out to be harder than expected.

Fortunately, our XPENG contact came to the rescue. She managed to arrange a short meeting with Alex Tang, who had also been part of the executive meeting. In his role overseeing international markets, he is one of the key figures in XPENG’s global strategy. I had brought extra gifts so I could give one directly to him – and another he could pass on to Madam Wang. Later that evening, I received a message from our contact confirming that the gift had been delivered and that Madam Wang sent her greetings and thanks. It was nice to know the gesture had reached her.

After the meeting, we spent some time in XPENG’s Flagship Store, walking around and revisiting the models. It felt different seeing the cars without time pressure and with the past days’ impressions in mind. You view the vehicles differently when you know the teams behind them – and when you’ve seen how much work goes into both software, hardware and services.

Later in the evening, we met up with several of the XPENG Denmark employees, and together we went shopping on Beijing Road Pedestrian Street. The area is a bit like Strøget in Copenhagen – full of shops, lights, atmosphere and life. It became our final experience in Guangzhou before packing up, checking out the next morning and heading home to Denmark.

XPENG as a Workplace – A Look Behind the Scenes

On several days, we had lunch in XPENG’s large canteen area, which felt more like a full-scale food court than a traditional workplace cafeteria. There were around 200 different food stalls and buffets, mostly serving traditional Chinese dishes but with international options as well, including Subway and KFC. The canteen is open several times a day, so employees can have both lunch and dinner there, and the meals are included as part of their employment. During weekends, employees can even invite their families to eat for free, which clearly supports the sense of community XPENG aims to create.

XPENG deliberately cultivates a “campus vibe”, and you feel it everywhere. Wide hallways, open communal spaces, constant movement and activity – it all creates a lively environment where work and social life naturally blend together. Everything looks new and modern – from architecture and interior design to the many small zones where people can sit down, hold meetings or work quietly. The entire area, made up of several buildings, is referred to internally as XPENG Technology Park.

In the office areas, people sit much closer together than what most Danes would choose. Long rows of desks, side by side. It might seem cramped by Scandinavian standards, but here it felt entirely natural. Many employees had personalised their workspace with figurines, plants or small souvenirs, so even though the desks were placed tightly, everyone still had their own “corner”. At the same time, there was an abundance of meeting rooms of all sizes, and they were in constant use for focused teamwork.

All entrances, elevators and escalators were secured by access control – a natural necessity when running a large campus with thousands of employees. Staff could move freely throughout most of the buildings, while a few areas, including the Executive floor, were more restricted.

One of the things that stood out most was the work rhythm. Most employees arrived around 9 AM and worked until the evening, often until 7 or even 8 PM. In return, they had a long lunch break of about an hour and a half, and many used that time to rest. It was completely normal to see people taking a powernap either in the canteen or at their desks. It fit naturally into their day and seemed to complement the pace of their work.

The headquarters itself houses around 3,000 employees, but the facilities are built to accommodate up to 10,000, making it clear that XPENG is planning for growth. In the XPENG AI Mobility Experience Center, we also saw that XPENG as a whole now has around 28,000 employees across all departments and locations.

Even though we only saw a small slice of everyday life at HQ, the visit left a clear impression of XPENG as a workplace: young, energetic and modern, with a rhythm and layout quite different from what we know at home – but perfectly aligned with the company’s culture and momentum.

Guangzhou – Modern, Efficient and Different Than Expected

Before the trip, I didn’t have a clear picture of what Guangzhou would be like, but I expected something that felt more “classically Chinese”. That wasn’t the experience at all. Guangzhou comes across as a modern, international metropolis, with architecture that could just as easily belong in Singapore or Seoul. Where cities in Cambodia or Vietnam still carry strong historical traces, large parts of Guangzhou are defined by clean lines, glass façades and new construction on a scale you only truly grasp when you stand in the middle of it.

The pace of development has been extraordinary. Looking at photos of the city from 15–20 years ago, it almost feels like a different place. Entire districts that once consisted of construction sites or low-rise buildings are now complete skylines. It shows a lot about the tempo of both the city and the country as a whole.

One of the most striking things is the traffic. It is dense, constant and at times seemingly chaotic – yet it flows with surprising smoothness. It feels a bit like watching water move: if a gap opens, someone uses it. Cars and scooters weave around each other intuitively, and even when someone honks, it never feels aggressive. It’s more like an ongoing conversation than a sign of irritation. You quickly sense that traffic operates according to completely different unwritten rules than in Europe – and yet it works.

Getting around as a visitor was unexpectedly easy. Didi, the local equivalent of Uber, worked flawlessly. We often chose the “Premium” and “Premium XL” categories, where you’re picked up in large, modern electric vehicles with plenty of space, strong air-conditioning and a service level far above the price point. A 15-to-20-minute ride costs around 30–40 DKK, and even the nearly one-hour trip to the airport was only about 200 DKK.

Another thing you notice is how clean and quiet the city is. Almost all scooters and small vehicles are electric, and a large share of the cars are as well. That creates an unexpectedly low noise level, especially for a city of this size. We didn’t see graffiti, litter or signs of decay anywhere. The city feels well-kept and organised, without coming across as artificial or sterile.

Guangzhou also felt very safe to move around in. Even though many residents don’t speak English, language barriers were easily bridged with translation apps, which everyone used without hesitation. You can feel that technology is deeply integrated into everyday life, and that the city is built around the idea that things should work quickly and efficiently.

A journey that will stay with me

Looking back on the entire trip, it becomes clearer and clearer just how big an experience it really was. Not only because of the meetings, the technology or the behind-the-scenes insights at XPENG, but because of the whole picture: the people we met, the city we got to know, and all the small moments in between.

No matter what the future holds for the Super XPENGer program or XPENG’s ambitions in international markets, I’m genuinely grateful to have had this opportunity. Very few people get the chance to come this close to the development of a product they use every day – and it’s certainly not something I take for granted.

It’s striking how life sometimes takes turns you never saw coming. When I bought a XPENG – which at its core was “just” supposed to be a car – I had no idea where it would lead me. I couldn’t have imagined that a year later I’d be standing at the company’s headquarters in Guangzhou, speaking directly with developers and executives, or spending so many hours on voluntary beta testing. But when your interest grows, and you feel that you can genuinely contribute, it quickly becomes more than just a purchase.

It also took me a few days to write this travel journal. I had assumed I would document the trip as we went – maybe write a bit each evening or update along the way. But the reality was that there simply wasn’t the mental bandwidth for it. Impressions kept coming, meetings were dense, and my mind was running at full speed from morning until night. It felt like a kind of positive mental overload, where you absorb everything while you’re in it, and only afterward find the space to put it into words.

In a way, it feels right that the descriptions come now, after everything has had a chance to settle. The trip was intense, full of content and something truly special – and perhaps that sort of experience does require a pause before it can be fully expressed.

The journey gave me insights I will value for a long time. Not because I now know all the secrets – far from it – but because I’ve felt the energy, the ambition and the people behind it all. It makes both the car and the collaboration feel more alive, and it’s an experience I’m genuinely happy to bring home with me.

And I hope it won’t be the last time. Maybe I’ll return as a Super XPENGer – or maybe as a tourist with my family, so they can experience the city as well. Time will tell.