XPeng launches its new AI-powered MONA M03 Max BEV in China for under $20,000
Eight days after publicly unveiling a new Max variant of its already popular MONA M03 sedan, XPeng Motors has officially launched it in China at an insanely low price of RMB 139,800 ($19,400). For those prices, MONA M03 Max drivers will gain access to some of XPeng’s most advanced AI-centric technologies.
Less than a year ago, XPeng Motors gave the public its first hint at a new model that would become the MONA M03. After teasing us with brief images all summer, XPeng officially unveiled the MONA M03 in July 2024 before launching it in China at ultra-affordable prices.
For example, the M03 initially launched in three separate trims, priced at RMB 119,800 ($16,815), RMB 129,800 ($18,220), and RMB 155,800 ($21,870), respectively. The three variants – 515, 620, and 580 Max – refer to each MONA M03’s CLTC range (km), and the “Max” signifies the addition of XPeng’s smart driving ADAS capability.
The two lower-end trims of the MONA M03 began deliveries in August 2024 and have since propelled the model to the top-selling A-segment BEV sedan in China for eight consecutive months. By the end of March 2025, XPeng announced it had built 100,000 MONA EVs in seven months, hailing the milestone as a new record for passenger BEVs.
During a public event in China on May 20, XPeng unveiled the new MONA M03 Max ahead of its formal launch, which began today.
XPeng’s new MONA M03 variant is bang for small bucks
As we learned last year, MONA stands for “Made of new AI” and represents XPeng’s goal of delivering advanced AI technology to everyday customers. The new MONA M03 Max is a perfect example of this target, as it comes loaded with class-leading technology but at a price that most everyone can afford.
Not to mention some cool cosmetic features and functions to cater to the M03’s younger audience, 90% of which are below the age of 35, per XPeng Motors. Per XPeng Motors:
With AI innovation as its driving force, the MONA M03 Max brings industry-leading intelligent driving capabilities to the mainstream market. Combining class-leading advanced ADAS, a premium smart cockpit, and high-end smart features typically found in vehicles priced over RMB 200,000 ($27,760), the MONA M03 Max challenges conventional expectations of A-class vehicles — and ushers in a new era of truly accessible, high-level intelligent driving.
As reported earlier this month, the new MONA M03 Max features XPeng’s proprietary AI Turing Smart Driving System as a standard feature. The ADAS integrates perception, decision-making, and control into one holistic design powered by dual NVIDIA Orin X chipsets and monitored by 27 high-precision sensors and an ultra-HD surround reality display. Per XPeng, the system can accurately detect over 50 road elements and obstacles (see image above).
Unlike its MONA M03 siblings launched last year, the new Max variant also features XPeng’s AI Tianji 5.7.0 Smart Cockpit. Per the automaker:
The XPeng MONA M03 Max takes its intelligent cockpit to new heights with the debut of the upgraded AI Tianji System 5.7.0. Compared to the MONA M03 launched earlier in 2024, the new system adds over 300 new features. Empowered by XPeng’s self-developed XGPT large language model, voice interaction becomes more seamless than ever — expanding scenario coverage by 30% and enabling voice control for over 90% of the vehicle’s functions. This delivers an experience that outperforms even premium models priced above RMB 200,000.
Per XPeng, the MONA M03 will now come in four varying range options with the following pricing:
| MONA M03 Trim | Range | Price |
| 515 Plus | 515 km (320 miles) | RMB 119,800 ($16,629) |
| 620 Plus | 620 km (385 miles) | RMB 129,800 ($18,017) |
| 502 Max | 502 km (312 miles) | RMB 129,800 ($18,017) |
| 600 Max | 600 km (373 miles) | RMB 139,800 ($19,405) |
These M03 variants are all officially on the market in China. Per XPeng, there are no plans to sell this model outside of China at this time.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the new Tesla Model S/X “refresh”, robotaxi service is coming, a new EV price war in China, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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Kia’s electric SUV has already become a hit in several overseas markets. The EV5 is now arriving as the first electric Kia to be assembled in Singapore, as it rolls out to new global markets.
Kia EV5 arrives as its first locally made EV in Singapore
Shortly after its introduction at the 2023 Chengdu Motor Show, Kia launched the EV5 in China, with prices starting at about 20,000 (149,800 yuan).
Kia is now seeing a full-on recovery in China, largely thanks to the new electric SUV. Its joint venture partner in China, Yueda Kia, ranked first in sales growth among JV brands.
In China, Kia sold over 248,000 vehicles last year, the first time it has crossed the 200,000 mark since 2020. The EV5 is made at Yueda Kia’s manufacturing plant in China and exported to overseas markets like Australia and Thailand.
In fact, the EV5 is currently the fourth best-selling EV in Australia this year through April, ahead of every BYD vehicle.
The EV5 is slightly smaller than the Tesla Model Y at 4,615 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,715 mm in height.
After launching the EV5 in Singapore on May 28, Kia hit a milestone. The electric SUV arrives as Kia’s first locally assembled EV in the region.
The EV5 was officially launched during an event at Hyundai Motor Innovation Groupe Centre Singapore, where it will be made. It will join other Hyundai Motor electric cars, including the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6. Hyundai also builds the IONIQ 5 robotaxi here and exports it to the US.
Kia’s distributor, Cycle and Carriage, will sell the EV5 in three variants: Air, Earth, and a sporty GT-line. Two battery sizes will be available, 64.2 kWh and 88.1 kWh, providing range of 400 km and 540 km, respectively.
Prices for the base Air trim start at $194,000 (SDG), including COE. The Earth and GT-Line models start at $210,500 (SDG) and $260,000 (SDG) with COE.
Later this year, Kia will launch the global version of the EV5, which will be made at its Autoland Gwangju manufacturing plant in South Korea. It will be sold in overseas markets, including Europe and Canada, but not the US.
Kia confirmed the EV5 will be “exclusively for the Canadian market” in North America. It will be available in FWD and AWD powertrains. Two battery sizes will be offered: 60.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh, providing a range of up to 500 km (310 miles).
Source: Cycle & Carriage Kia Pte Ltd, The Straits Times
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Do we smell a three-peat? The team at Ford Performance is once again competing at the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and this year is bringing a “Super” version of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E… At least we think there’s a Mach-E in there somewhere.
Pikes Peak—the “Race to the Clouds.” This annual event spanning 12.42 miles to an elevation of over 14,000 feet in the mountains above Colorado has been celebrated for over 100 years. While its hill climb is rooted in tradition and traditional vehicles, it has become an annual opportunity for EV engineers to showcase how much better all-electric models can be.
Last year, Rivian, Hyundai, and Ford Performance all impressed, with the former two automakers snagging records for their vehicle types, while Ford’s “F-150 Supertruck” took the “King of the Mountain” crown for the fastest climb of the day.
This past January, we learned that Ford Performance planned to defend its title at Pikes Peak with its third all-electric demonstrator in as many years. At the time, we only saw a sheeted vehicle that appeared to be relatively low with a massive spoiler, but the glowing front emblem left no doubt that it was a modified version of the Mustang Mach-E.
Today, Ford Performance unveiled the BEV it will use to climb Pikes Peak, which it is calling the Super Mustang Mach-E. Have a gander.
Super Mach-E will try to hold Ford’s Pikes Peak crown
Ford Performance shared the images seen above in an Instagram post with the following caption:
12 miles of mountain road. 156 turns. 14,115 feet of elevation. This is the @pikespeakhillclimb, and we’re bringing 6,125 lbs of downforce — and @romaindumas_official — to take it on with the Super Mustang Mach-E.
From the post, we’ve learned the Super Mustang Mach-E will be driven up Pikes Peak by none other than veteran French racer Romain Dumas. Dumas has a wealth of experience in some of the world’s largest (and longest) races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nürburgring 24 Hours, and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
He has been contracted to Ford Performance since 2022 and has won two of his five Hill Climb victories with the American automaker in the past two years (although the 2023 SuperVan victory was in the division and second overall). Could Dumas tally his sixth career victory at Pike Peak with a three-peat with Ford in the Super Mustang Mach-E?
Ford Performance and Romain Dumas have shown they can do it, so it’s a serious possibility. We will find out on June 22, 2025, when the 103rd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes place.
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