Chinese electric vehicle maker XPeng is expanding its European manufacturing footprint with the successful production trial of its next-generation G9L flagship SUV at Magna’s facility in Graz, Austria.

The milestone makes the G9L the fourth XPeng model to undergo production at the Austrian plant, following the G6, G9 and P7+. Local production began in the third quarter of 2025 and represents XPeng’s first European manufacturing programme.

The first pre-production G9L will travel 1,324 kilometres from Graz to Paris ahead of its global debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 12.

The journey will test the vehicle’s charging performance, safety systems and driving capabilities under real-world European conditions.

XPeng said the G9L has undergone approximately 6.74 million kilometres of testing across 26 countries and regions over three years, including 192 crash tests and more than 110 validation protocols.

The SUV is planned for launch in 64 countries and regions and has been tested in both left- and right-hand-drive configurations.

The company is also accelerating its European sales growth. XPeng has delivered more than 100,000 vehicles overseas, including over 60,000 in Europe.

Overseas deliveries surpassed 20,000 in the second quarter of 2026, an 81% year-on-year increase.

The G9L features dual-chamber air suspension, intelligent variable damping and rear-wheel steering with up to 15 degrees of steering angle.

The expansion strengthens XPeng’s partnership with Magna as the Chinese automaker seeks to combine its AI and electric-vehicle technology with established European manufacturing expertise.