On July 2, XPENG officially unveiled and opened pre-orders for the MONA L03, the first SUV in the MONA lineup, at an event in Beijing. The new model is offered in six variants, including both battery electric (BEV) and Super Extended Range (EREV) versions, with pre-sale prices ranging from RMB 143,800 to RMB 165,800.
As the MONA series expands from sedans into the highly competitive SUV market, the L03 carries two important missions: continuing the remarkable success of the MONA M03 while serving as a key pillar in XPENG's ambitious global expansion strategy.
The First SUV Designed for Young Drivers
XPENG is no stranger to the affordable EV market. Its first MONA model, the MONA M03, has become one of China's biggest success stories.
In just over 600 days since launch, the M03 has delivered more than 280,000 vehicles, maintaining the No.1 position in China's RMB 100,000–200,000 pure electric sedan segment for 22 consecutive months. During April and May this year, its monthly sales even surpassed every gasoline-powered sedan in the same price category.
During the launch event, XPENG Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng confidently highlighted these achievements before introducing the company's next chapter—the MONA L03.
Larger Than Its Rivals
The MONA L03 enters one of China's most competitive SUV segments with a pre-sale price of RMB 143,800–165,800.
Rather than competing solely on price, XPENG focuses on delivering more value.
Compared with many rivals, the L03 offers:
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2,850 mm wheelbase, approximately 100 mm longer than many competitors
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More spacious cabin and rear passenger legroom
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Higher safety specifications even on entry-level models
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Standard Lane Departure Warning
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Driver Fatigue Monitoring
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Additional active safety technologies
Instead of being the cheapest SUV, XPENG aims to offer one of the best-equipped vehicles in its class.
Designed by a Former Ferrari Designer
For younger buyers, styling matters just as much as technology.
XPENG devoted significant attention to the vehicle's design during the launch.
The MONA L03 was created by an international design team representing 23 countries, led by JuanMa Lopez, former Chief Exterior Designer at Ferrari.
He Xiaopeng also addressed online rumors during the presentation, confirming that JuanMa remains fully committed to XPENG and that the L03 is the first production vehicle designed under his leadership.
The SUV features:
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Wide-body proportions
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Low-slung coupe-inspired silhouette
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Fastback roofline
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Muscular rear fenders
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Fully enclosed front hood design
Its athletic profile has drawn comparisons to premium performance SUVs, giving the L03 a distinctly upscale appearance despite its affordable pricing.
Premium Interior Beyond Its Price Class
Inside, the MONA L03 offers features typically found in much more expensive vehicles.
Highlights include:
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26.8-inch W-HUD (Windshield Head-Up Display)
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15.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen
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20-speaker AI audio system
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Soft-touch materials covering over 72% of the cabin
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Zero-gravity front passenger seat
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14-point massage function
Cargo space is equally impressive:
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539L standard trunk capacity
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1,640L with rear seats folded
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Large enough to create a comfortable sleeping space for camping trips.
Built Around Everyday Convenience
XPENG has clearly designed the L03 with young lifestyles in mind.
Practical features include:
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40 storage compartments
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23 expansion interfaces
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102L front trunk (frunk) ideal for groceries or takeaway food
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Five threaded mounting points for action cameras, lighting equipment, and accessories
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Customizable rear cargo pegboard
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Up to 6 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external power output for camping or outdoor activities
These thoughtful details transform the L03 into more than just transportation—it becomes a mobile lifestyle platform.
Celebrity ambassador Nana Ou-Yang (Ouyang Nana) also shared her favorite features during the launch, including:
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Panoramic dual-silver coated glass roof
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Soft-light vanity mirror
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XPENG's XiaoP voice assistant
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Flexible storage solutions
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Zero-gravity passenger seat
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Multiple expansion interfaces
AI Computing Power That Redefines the Segment
While the design attracts attention, XPENG believes the real competitive advantage lies in intelligence.
The MONA L03 introduces computing performance rarely seen in this price category.
MAX Version
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Single Turing AI chip
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750 TOPS effective computing power
Ultra SE Version
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Dual Turing AI chips
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1,500 TOPS effective computing power
According to XPENG, this marks the industry's first 15-million-yuan-class SUV (around RMB 150,000) equipped with 1,500 TOPS of onboard AI computing power.
For comparison, many competitors offer only one-twelfth to one-eighteenth of this performance.
Every L03 also comes standard with the Turing AI Driving System, supporting features such as:
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Parking Space to Parking Space intelligent driving
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Human-AI cooperative driving
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Navigation-free NGP roaming
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Advanced intelligent driving assistance
He Xiaopeng even claimed that the Ultra SE's assisted driving capabilities would outperform flagship SUVs costing over RMB 500,000.
Built for Global Markets from Day One
The second half of the launch shifted attention toward XPENG's international ambitions.
He Xiaopeng revealed that the MONA L03 was developed as the first truly global model in the MONA family.
Instead of adapting a Chinese model for export later, the vehicle was engineered from the beginning to satisfy multiple international safety standards, including:
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China C-NCAP Five-Star
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Europe Euro NCAP Five-Star
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Australia ANCAP Five-Star
XPENG even showcased testing footage of the L03 driving at 180 km/h on Germany's unrestricted Autobahn while maintaining excellent stability.
The company also completed extensive testing across:
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Nordic extreme cold environments
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Middle Eastern high-temperature deserts
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Southeast Asian mountainous and tropical roads
Both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive versions were developed simultaneously, with seating ergonomics adjusted to accommodate customers in different regions.
The global launch is scheduled for July 16 in Munich, Germany, with sales planned across 64 countries and regions during the first rollout.
XPENG's Overseas Growth Is Accelerating
XPENG's overseas business has already gained significant momentum.
Recent European performance includes:
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6,968 vehicles delivered during the first quarter, up 179% year-over-year
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3,349 vehicles sold in April, nearly three times the previous year
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France sales increased 115.4%
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Germany sales increased 187.4%
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4.2% market share in Norway, ranking seventh among automotive brands
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3,672 vehicles sold in Europe during May, representing 138% year-over-year growth
However, rapid sales growth has also exposed manufacturing constraints.
Currently, XPENG's European vehicles are produced by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, where production capacity is approaching its limits.
At the same time, new EU tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles are making export-only strategies increasingly difficult.
Considering Local Manufacturing in Europe
Industry reports suggest XPENG is discussing the acquisition of an underutilized Volkswagen manufacturing facility in Europe.
Volkswagen has been restructuring after a challenging financial period, with plans to reduce production capacity by approximately 3 million vehicles by 2030.
Several factories have already been closed or scheduled for shutdown, creating opportunities for new manufacturers.
For XPENG, acquiring an existing plant would dramatically shorten the timeline compared with building an entirely new factory, potentially allowing production to begin within a year.
AI Driving Without Language Barriers
XPENG also revealed progress on its global AI strategy.
Since last year, the company has been testing its VLA (Vision-Language-Action) intelligent driving system in selected international markets.
Beginning in the first quarter of next year, XPENG plans to gradually deploy this technology across most global markets.
The system will allow users to control vehicle functions using their native language, with many commands processed locally without requiring an internet connection.
A Truly Global Ambition
Although XPENG's European sales have been growing at more than 100% annually, its overseas lineup currently consists mainly of premium models priced above €45,000.
The arrival of the affordable MONA L03 could dramatically expand XPENG's customer base.
According to XPENG's senior product management team, the company expects 30%–40% of the L03's future sales to come from international markets.
Long term, XPENG hopes overseas deliveries will eventually account for half of its global sales.
Final Thoughts
The philosophy behind the XPENG MONA L03 is remarkably straightforward:
Build a vehicle with the technology, safety, and refinement of a RMB 300,000 SUV, price it like a RMB 150,000 model, and introduce it to customers around the world.
In China, the L03 must compete against hundreds of rival models in one of the world's most demanding automotive markets.
Internationally, however, it enters regions where smart electric vehicles remain far less common and competition is significantly less intense.
For XPENG, the MONA L03 represents much more than another affordable SUV—it is a strategic product designed to transform China's fiercely competitive EV innovation into a powerful global advantage.