Chinese language electric-vehicle maker Xpeng has began coming into the European auto market with an preliminary batch of deliveries to Norway.

The Guangzhou-based firm has begun handing over the primary 100 of its G3 sport utility autos to prospects within the nation the place EVs have seized a dominant market share. The mannequin begins from 358,000 krone ($41,000).

Xpeng will enter extra nations in Europe however will spend the following 12 months deciding the place to go subsequent and laying the groundwork for gross sales, President and Vice Chairman Brian Gu stated in an interview.

“In the long term, if you wish to be a profitable EV firm, it’s a must to be a worldwide one,” Gu stated. “We’re beginning the hassle to construct our presence, doing restricted testing in sure markets and treating this as a really long-term technique.”

Norway’s supportive authorities insurance policies, superior charging infrastructure and excessive consciousness of EVs made the nation the very best match for Xpeng’s first European foray. Whereas it’s a small market general, nearly 80 p.c of autos registered within the third quarter have been plug-in vehicles.

Whereas Xpeng is teaming with an area distributor in Norway, figuring out whether or not to work with native companions or management its personal future is among the many elements it’s going to contemplate in deciding which markets to enter subsequent.

“We’re nonetheless within the early innings of this European technique,” Gu stated.