XPeng shifts focus to humanoid robots amid EV sales slump
As China's electric vehicle market struggles, automakers like XPeng are pivoting toward manufacturing humanoid robots to reshape their valuation narratives.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are expanding into the production of humanoid robots as competition in the automotive sector intensifies. Chinese companies accounted for more than half of nearly 20 global entities that entered the humanoid robotics sector through internal development or investment by August. XPeng displayed its IRON humanoid robot at the May 31, 2026 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show in Shenzhen. The company's share price fell more than 45% this year, trailing major competitors such as BYD, which declined over 13%. Kevin Li, associate director at Counterpoint Research, noted that automakers aim to reshape capital valuation narratives and establish second growth curves. The venture arm of Nio has also invested in startups including LimX Dynamics and Acorn Robot.
