Tesla just lately launched a revamped model of its Mannequin Y in China, prompting many observers to notice its hanging resemblance to Xpeng’s P7. That is notably ironic on condition that Xpeng, which was based by Henry Xia in 2014, initially drew inspiration from Tesla and claimed to be influenced by Tesla’s choice to open-source its patents. In truth, Xpeng was reportedly the primary firm to make the most of Tesla’s open patents.
Nonetheless, Xpeng’s strategy advanced past mere inspiration. It started to duplicate not solely Tesla’s aesthetic but in addition its know-how, copying options such because the Autopilot system and the consumer interface utilized in Tesla’s digital show.
In 2021, Tesla filed a lawsuit in opposition to Guangzhi Cao, a former engineer who had labored on Autopilot and subsequently joined Xpeng. Tesla alleged that Cao had taken proprietary supply code to help Xpeng in creating its personal model of driver help know-how. Though the lawsuit was settled, Xpeng maintained that its driver-assist options had been developed independently.
Additional situations of copying embrace a short interval in 2020 throughout which Xpeng’s web site bore a hanging resemblance to Tesla’s web site.
Quick ahead to the current, and the design narrative seems to have taken a flip. Tesla’s newest refresh of the Mannequin Y showcases a brand new front-end design that notably aligns with the aesthetics of Xpeng’s P7+ and different fashions in its lineup. The redesign incorporates the same three-section lightbar and headlights that echo the options present in Xpeng’s autos.
Rafik Ferrag, a senior designer at Xpeng, commented on the similarities, suggesting Tesla could also be paying homage to Xpeng’s design achievements. He credited the Xiaopeng P7 with popularizing the entrance cross-over lamp design within the automotive business.
Coinciding with Tesla’s announcement, Xpeng additionally revealed photographs of its newest G7 SUV, which incorporates a comparable front-end design. Xpeng has reported a 34% enhance in automobile deliveries in 2024, whereas Tesla has skilled a 1% decline in its gross sales.
As Xpeng continues to realize momentum within the Chinese language market, the G7 poses a severe problem to Tesla’s Mannequin Y, a important participant in Tesla’s Chinese language enterprise.
In conclusion, whereas it’s evident that Xpeng has traditionally drawn from Tesla’s improvements, the query now arises: Is Tesla feeling the warmth because it navigates competitors from Xpeng’s sturdy choices?
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