Xpeng CEO seeks challenging routes in Paris

Xiaopeng He, founder and CEO of Chinese carmaker Xpeng, asked internet users to share the most difficult driving routes in France so he could test his company’s automated driving system, NGP, during the Paris Motor Show. He plans to visit Paris personally to evaluate how the system performs on these challenging routes.

NGP is level 2++ autonomous driving

Xpeng’s NGP is classified as level 2++ autonomous driving, meaning the car can accelerate, brake, and steer itself, but the driver must remain attentive and ready to take control at any time. This level of automation is not fully hands-off and still requires human supervision.

Paris Motor Show features automated driving tests

The Paris Motor Show, running from October 12 to 18, will allow visitors to experience automated driving on open roads for the first time. Only Tesla and Xpeng are participating in this initiative, called the Autonomous Lab, offering test drives of their respective systems.

Xpeng and Tesla use camera-based systems

Both Xpeng and Tesla use camera-based systems for their automated driving features, without relying on lidar sensors. Xpeng will test its L03 model, a coupe SUV, while Tesla will offer its Model 3 equipped with FSD (Supervised) for testing. Both use the NGP in its VLA 2.0 version.

Xpeng’s G9L makes European debut

Xpeng’s G9L, a large SUV assembled by Magna in Austria, will debut in Europe at the Paris Motor Show. A pre-series unit arrived at the show after traveling over 1,324 kilometers by road, but it will not be used in the automated driving tests. Visitors will need to use the L03 model for those tests.

Automated driving tests are limited in France

Neither Tesla nor Xpeng can legally sell their automated driving systems in France. Tesla has tested its FSD in Paris, but the French government has not authorized it for sale. Xpeng plans to launch its VLA 2.0 system in Europe in 2027, with certification aimed for the first half of that year.

French media highlights Xpeng’s performance

According to Libération, Xpeng’s NGP system impressed during tests in Paris, with the car steering itself, avoiding pedestrians and cyclists, and requiring minimal human intervention. However, the newspaper noted that managing unpredictable behavior, such as incivility from other road users, remains a challenge.

European competitors offer traditional tests

While Tesla and Xpeng offer automated driving tests, other European carmakers like Peugeot, Citroën, DS, and Škoda provide traditional driving tests at the show. BYD, despite having an impressive autonomous driving system in previous tests, is not participating in the automated driving experience this year.