The mid-2010s saw a wave of EV startups created, with many of them attracting billions of dollars in initial funding and making bold promises about changing the auto industry. XPeng was one of those companies, but unlike many of its rivals who are currently still trying to build factories or develop the tech they promised, XPeng just got on with making and selling cars. Despite being one of the youngest startups on the market, the company delivered 98,000 cars to customers throughout 2021, and they're certainly one to watch for 2022.

RELATED: 10 Chinese Concept Cars That Could Change The Game

That sales figure is even more impressive when you realize that it represents a 263% year-on-year growth, making XPeng one of the fastest-growing car manufacturers in the industry right now. Despite all that, their focus on the Chinese market and lack of presence in many Western markets means that most American gearheads won't have even heard of them. But, if the company is to be believed, it won't be that way forever, and there's a chance that they'll be making their way to a dealership near you sooner than you think.

10 Founded In 2014

XPeng Factory
Via XPeng

XPeng was founded only eight years ago by two former senior executives at GAC Group, a state-owned Chinese automaker that makes over 2 million vehicles a year. They quickly found further financial backing from a small team of investors, most of whom had made their fortune in China's booming tech market.

XPeng Factory
Via XPeng

The company is named after an early investor, He Xiaopeng, a former executive at e-commerce giant Alibaba. Despite never having sold cars in the US, one of the first things the newly-funded company did was to apply for a permit to test self-driving cars in California, which they have continued to do since 2018. They also have an office in Mountain View, California, alongside their headquarters in Guangzhou, China.

9 The Brand Has Big-Name Talent

XPeng P5
Via XPeng

As well as attracting high-profile investors, XPeng has been able to poach several high-level executives from other automotive and tech companies. Data from Crunchbase shows that XPeng employees were previously senior staff at Tesla, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Ford, among others.

XPeng P5
Via XPeng

Now, this isn't a guarantee for success, as most EV startups have some big-name talent, but it's impressive to see just how many former executives and senior developers that XPeng was able to attract. Clearly, it had a positive effect, as the company was much faster than its rivals at bringing its products from the drawing board to reality.

8 The G9 Is Their Flagship SUV

XPeng G9
Via XPeng

Every self-respecting EV brand needs an SUV in their lineup, and XPeng's flagship SUV is the G9. It's their newest model and is set to compete directly against the Tesla Model Y. It was unveiled at Auto Guangzhou in 2021, and deliveries are set to begin in mid-2022.

RELATED: 8 Electric SUVs We'd Buy Instead Of The Toyota RAV4 Prime

XPeng G9
Via XPeng

It seems that the company is preparing for the G9 to spearhead their European expansion efforts, as development mules have been spotted testing all over the continent. Most recently, a prototype was spotted in Spain and then later in Portugal, wearing heavy camouflage and a temporary registration plate.

7 The G3i Is An Evolution Of Their First Model

XPeng G3i
Via XPeng

At the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, XPeng launched its first production model, the G3. A revised version of the car called the G3i is still on sale, with a facelift and updated software.

XPeng G3i
Via XPeng

The main market for XPeng as of writing is still China, but in late 2021, the brand launched in Norway, giving a hint of what prices might look like should they expand further into the West. The base G3i starts at 358,000 Norwegian Krone, roughly $36,450, and the top-spec trim costs the equivalent of $38,600.

6 The P5 Is The Company's Mass-Market Sedan

XPeng P5
Via XPeng

Another model that's already on sale in Norway is the P5, the company's entry-level sedan that will compete against the Tesla Model 3. British magazine Autocar drove one in late 2021, and they were impressed by its feature-filled interior and capable handling.

XPeng P5
Via XPeng

In particular, they singled out the car's "sleep mode", which turns it from a family sedan into a sort of makeshift campervan by folding all the seats flat. The parcel shelf also doubles up as a projector screen, and the car can transform into a movie theater with the optional film projector installed.

5 The P7 Tops The Sedan Range

XPeng P7
Via XPeng

Anyone who isn't too keen on sleeping in their car or watching movies in it could opt for XPeng's other sedan, the larger P7. Its chassis was developed in conjunction with Porsche to refine its handling and make it more engaging to drive than many other Chinese competitors.

XPeng P7
Via XPeng

Performance of all of XPeng's models is adequate rather than impressive, as these are EVs focused on range rather than speed. Still, a 0-62 mph time of 6.2 seconds is still faster than some entry-level sports cars, and more than fast enough for everyday driving.

4 They Promise Fully Autonomous Driving Soon

XPeng G3
Via XPeng

XPeng might have put the work into making sure that driving their cars is an enjoyable experience, but simply driving them oneself is only part of the equation. A big selling point of the brand is that they promise self-driving tech, with the eventual goal of making all their cars fully autonomous.

XPeng G3
Via XPeng

Back in 2018, the P5 became the first production car in the world to come equipped with Lidar, so all the hardware needed for full autonomy is already installed. Transforming the car from semi-autonomous to fully autonomous should be as simple as an over-the-air software update, that is, assuming XPeng can pass the regulatory hurdles to get the tech into the hands of customers.

3 They're Already Expanding In Europe

Xpeng P7
Via XPeng

As previously mentioned, XPeng already sells its cars in Norway, a smart business move considering the country has the world's highest per-capita sales of electric vehicles. As of March 2022, they have also launched in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, with more countries to follow.

RELATED: 5 European Sports Cars We Want As EVs (5 That Should Never Go Electric)

Xpeng Cars Driving
Via XPeng

Reports suggest that the UK might be one of their next targets, with the aim of launching within the next three years. It's certainly possible given the rapid rollout of their cars so far, and even more impressive given their first production vehicle rolled off the line just four years ago as at the time of writing.

2 They Might Be Coming To A Dealership Near You

XPeng P5
Via XPeng

So, after Europe, what's next? Well, there's certainly a chance that XPeng will attempt to crack the US market, especially since they've done much of their autonomous development in California.

XPeng P5
Via XPeng

However, the percentage of new cars sold in the US that are electric remains relatively low, so, likely, an American launch is a few years off yet, as there simply isn't a huge market for EVs right now, especially ones with a Chinese brand name.

1 They Have A Lot Of Competition

XPeng P7 Wing Limited Edition
Via XPeng

It's easy to look at the rapid expansion of XPeng and think that they've got it all worked out. However, there are a lot of competitors fighting for the same market share, not only startups but also established automakers with bigger dealership networks and existing profitable businesses.

XPeng P7 Wing Limited Edition
Via XPeng

Even EV leaders Tesla has only started making money in the past few years, so XPeng have a way to go before they become an established outfit that's financially viable in the long term. However, with its ever-expanding range of cars and competitive pricing, it seems like the company is in a better position than most of its rivals to become the next big EV car company.