Xpeng Mona L03. A New Nightmare For Tesla.

At first, this new Chinese model from Xpeng could easily be dismissed as yet another Tesla Model Y clone. Unlill you actually look into it.

In my opinion, it the new Mona L03 looks much more modern than the aging Model 3 or Model Y. Yes, it still has the same general shape and “turtle like” silhouette, but it does feel better to me. I guess maybe just because there are so many Teslas around. Inside, it of course has a similar set up. It seems everyone is doing the big center screen thing these days. Again, a very Tesla-like feature and design. But again, the whole thing seems much more refined and peaceful. Plus the quality seems to be much higher, although it’s hard to say in the official photos.

Technically, the new Xpeng is available as an EV or a EREV. Both versions use the same electric motor. On the EV, two battery sizes are available. The larger one has a range of 390 miles in the local test cycle. Which would still be around 310 miles EPA. The EREV version can drive up to 195 miles in EV only mode. Again that would still be about 150 miles EPA. Which is still far superior to any PHEV vehicle sold over here. And more than enough for most people to almost never use gas.

I first noticed this car by watching videos like the video above. Showing all details of the new Xpeng. And it does seem like a pretty high quality product. A nice looking family car with tons of interesting features. All for almost $15,000 less than a Model Y. It also seems like a much more modern product than anything Tesla offers in the US.

The Mona L03 is not a tiny car either and is just 4 inches shorter than a Tesla Model Y. What it is is much cheaper than a Model Y. In China the Model Y starts at around $36,000 in China. The Model 3 at around $33,000. While the new Xpeng Mona L03 starts at around $21,000.

I can see why most manufacturers around the world are scared of Chinese cars. Many brands are now becoming quite popular in Europe, and will be manufacturing their cars locally very soon. Canada has allowed about 50,000 Chinese made cars in its territory this year. I think the main problem might not be the price since they are not that cheap once sold outside of China. But they seem to offer what many buyers actually want.

And the new Mona L03 seems to be a great example…