XPENG’s Bold Italian Debut: Redefining Future Mobility at Milan Design Week 2025
In the heart of Milan—a city synonymous with sophistication, innovation, and design excellence—XPENG, one of China’s most visionary electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, made an unforgettable debut at the prestigious Milan Design Week 2025. With its groundbreaking showcase titled “XPENG: #FUTUREMOBILITY” at the iconic ADI Design Museum, the company didn’t just introduce its advanced technologies to the Italian market; it made a profound statement about the future of mobility, seamlessly merging automotive engineering, AI, robotics, and aeronautical innovation.
A Platform as Visionary as the Brand It Hosts
Milan Design Week, held annually in conjunction with Salone del Mobile, has long been recognized as a global nexus for creativity. Designers, architects, brands, and thought leaders descend on the city each April to unveil not only furniture and interiors but also cutting-edge concepts that influence the way we live and move. That XPENG chose this cultural epicenter as the springboard for its Italian launch speaks volumes about the company’s design-forward ethos.
At the core of XPENG’s exhibit is a philosophy that challenges the status quo of modern transportation. With an immersive and multi-sensory presentation at the ADI Design Museum—home to the Compasso d’Oro, Italy’s most prestigious design award—XPENG introduced a triad of futuristic creations that captured imaginations and signaled a bold new direction for mobility: the XPENG P7+ smart EV, the AEROTH X2 flying car, and the IRON humanoid robot.
A Story of Ambition and Acceleration
Founded in 2014, XPENG has experienced a meteoric rise. In just over a decade, it has evolved from a high-tech startup into one of China’s most influential players in the intelligent EV space. With a focus on innovation across artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, and smart connectivity, the company has positioned itself not merely as a car manufacturer but as a holistic mobility pioneer.
In Q1 of 2025 alone, XPENG delivered more than 94,000 vehicles worldwide, marking an impressive 300% year-over-year growth. This robust performance reflects both increasing global demand for intelligent EVs and XPENG’s aggressive strategy to expand into key international markets.
Having first entered the European market via Norway in 2021—a well-established EV haven—XPENG has since rolled out operations in the UK, Germany, France, and Scandinavia, as well as in the Benelux nations, the Iberian Peninsula, and Central Europe. Italy now becomes a significant milestone in this expansion journey, and the company’s entrance into the design-driven Italian market signals confidence not only in its product quality but also in its design language and cultural relevance.
XPENG: #FUTUREMOBILITY — A Glimpse Into Tomorrow
The Milan showcase is titled “XPENG: #FUTUREMOBILITY,” a name that aptly reflects the company’s mission. Each of the three centerpiece technologies presented embodies a specific pillar of XPENG’s broader innovation strategy: intelligent electric vehicles, next-generation air mobility, and advanced robotics.
XPENG P7+: The AI-Defined Electric Vehicle
Leading the display is the XPENG P7+, a smart EV that redefines the boundaries of what an electric car can be. Positioned as the world’s first car “defined by Artificial Intelligence,” the P7+ integrates AI not only in its autonomous driving capabilities but also in its user interface and adaptive control systems. This model represents XPENG’s vision of a vehicle that doesn’t just transport, but learns, evolves, and interacts in real-time with its user.
Built upon XPENG’s proprietary XPILOT ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), the P7+ utilizes a sensor-rich suite that includes lidar, radar, and high-definition cameras, supported by deep neural network algorithms. The result is a vehicle that is capable of high-level autonomous functions, predictive maintenance, contextual navigation, and a highly personalized driving experience. It’s not just smart—it’s adaptive.
XPENG AEROTH X2: The Flying Car of Urban Futures
If the P7+ represents the evolution of ground mobility, the XPENG AEROTH X2 introduces the next dimension: air. This electric flying vehicle has already won the Gold Prize at the China Excellent Industrial Design Awards, and for good reason. It features vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, streamlined aerodynamic design, and is fully electric—positioning it as a viable solution for urban air mobility in increasingly congested cities.
With the AEROTH X2, XPENG joins a growing number of innovators exploring the “sky taxi” market. Yet the company’s background in AI and systems integration gives it a unique edge. The X2 is designed for short-distance travel at low altitudes and is built using lightweight carbon fiber composites and aviation-grade materials. With full autonomous navigation currently under development, this is not a science fiction prototype but a real platform in advanced testing stages, signaling XPENG’s serious intent to be at the forefront of air mobility.
IRON: The Humanoid Robot
Rounding out the display is IRON, XPENG’s humanoid robot that pushes the boundaries of robotic design and artificial intelligence. Designed to emulate human movement with uncanny precision, IRON is not just a demonstration of mechanical capability but a symbol of XPENG’s ambition to explore multi-modal mobility and human-machine symbiosis.
The robot incorporates advanced AI models trained to interpret and respond to human cues, perform complex gestures, and potentially collaborate in both domestic and industrial environments. With IRON, XPENG aligns itself with the world’s leading robotics firms while carving a distinctive identity rooted in mobility.
Leadership Speaks: A Vision for the Future
Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPENG, contextualized the brand’s Milan Design Week participation in cultural and strategic terms:
There is no better place than Italy to talk about automotive culture, timeless design, and the near future of mobility. Today at the iconic ADI Design Museum, we are adding a new milestone to XPENG’s history. Not only do we build intelligent driving vehicles, defined by the right mix of AI, hardware, and software, but we are also engaged in the development of vertical take-off and landing aircraft and robotics.”
His words reflect the company’s triple-pronged strategy: embrace design excellence, lead with technology, and globalize through experience and relevance.
JuanMa Lopez, XPENG’s Vice President of the Design Center and a seasoned figure in the automotive design world, emphasized the harmony between form and function:
We could not have chosen a better context for a country with such a rich automotive tradition and a culture that has elevated design to an art form. Our design philosophy is explicit: to create cars that express our know-how through the perfect union between aesthetics and functionality in every aspect.”
That blend of engineering precision and design artistry was evident throughout the Milan installation, which captivated both industry insiders and the general public.
Strategic Local Partnerships and Market Intentions
XPENG’s entry into Italy is not merely symbolic—it’s operational. The brand will be represented in Italy through ATFLOW, its official importer and distributor. Speaking about this responsibility, ATFLOW President Mattia Vanini highlighted the strategic importance of XPENG’s arrival:
XPENG is one of the main protagonists of the global technological revolution. The excellence of the brand, together with our deep knowledge of the Italian market, will generate tangible benefits for customers and become a reference in the evolution of sustainable mobility in Italy.”
XPENG’s market strategy appears clear: offer highly intelligent, design-centric vehicles tailored to discerning European tastes while emphasizing sustainability and high-tech features. Italy, with its deep-rooted automotive heritage and passion for craftsmanship, represents a critical testbed for this vision.
From Guangzhou to Milan: A Global Mobility Powerhouse
XPENG’s global trajectory is impressive. Headquartered in Guangzhou, the company also operates research and development hubs in Beijing, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and Amsterdam. This international footprint allows XPENG to draw from a diverse talent pool and tap into regional market insights, accelerating its innovation cycle and market responsiveness.
The company’s vehicles are currently produced at two cutting-edge facilities in Zhaoqing and Guangzhou. These plants are equipped with advanced automation and sustainability features, including energy-efficient systems and digital twin simulations that allow for agile manufacturing adjustments.
XPENG’s dual listings on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: XPEV) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 9868) further affirm its stature as a global enterprise with transparency, credibility, and investor confidence.
Design, Technology, Culture: A Converging Horizon
In choosing Milan Design Week 2025 as the venue for its Italian premiere, XPENG has cleverly aligned itself not just with car buyers, but with designers, thinkers, and tastemakers. It signals a shift in how car brands introduce themselves—not just through dealerships and spec sheets, but through immersive, emotionally resonant experiences.
By showcasing an AI-powered EV, a flying car, and a humanoid robot in one of the world’s design capitals, XPENG is sending a clear message: the future of mobility is not just electric—it is intelligent, multidimensional, and artistically inspired.
As visitors walk away from the exhibit at the ADI Design Museum, they’re not just thinking about what their next car might be. They’re envisioning how they might live, move, and interact in a world where technology, beauty, and innovation come together—seamlessly and sustainably.
