XPENG Makes UK Debut With Pre-Sale Launch Of First Right-Hand Drive SUV

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- Chinese high-tech automotive company, XPENG has officially entered the United Kingdom (UK) market, announcing the pre-sale of its first right-hand drive model, the XPENG G6.

This ultra-smart, all-electric mid-size coupe sport utility vehicle (SUV) marks a significant milestone in one of the world’s largest automotive and electric vehicle (EV) markets, according to a statement.

“With XPENG’s cutting-edge technology, impressive range, and ultra-fast charging, we are confident our vehicles will resonate with UK consumers, offering exceptional quality, innovation, and an outstanding driving experience,” said XPENG Vice Chairman and President, Dr Brian Gu.

The UK market is critical for XPENG’s international strategy, especially with the country becoming Europe’s largest EV market in 2024 and a major right-hand-drive market worldwide.

The UK launch, in partnership with its official distributor, International Motors Ltd (IML), is a key step in XPENG’s ongoing European and global expansion. The partnership will see the opening of 20 dealerships across the UK in 2025, ensuring a strong local presence and an extensive customer support network.

XPENG is focused on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven advancements, aiming to provide a highly intuitive and personalised driving experience with greater safety, customisation, and convenience.

The company showcased an impressive lineup at its UK launch, including the XPENG P7+ (the world’s first AI-defined vehicle), G6, G9, X9 seven-seater, along with the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) X2 flying car developed by XPENG AEROHT, its subsidiary.

As part of its UK debut, XPENG has opened pre-orders for the G6 Ultra Smart Coupe SUV, with launch prices starting at GBP39,990 with deliveries set to begin next month. The G6 offers high performance, advanced technology, and zero tailpipe emissions, featuring 800-volt supercharging and an extended driving range. (GBP1 = RM5.56) 

Since its European debut in Norway in 2021, XPENG has expanded to multiple countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Ireland, and now the UK. With over 620,000 Smart EVs delivered globally, XPENG is committed to further growth, with plans to enter more than 60 countries and regions by the end of 2025.

Early this year, XPENG’s strategic partnerships with Volkswagen and BP Pulse will also contribute to building a super-fast charging network and driving further innovation in the global mobility sector.

-- BERNAMA

ONLY ONE RAISES 100 MLN JAPANESE YEN TO EXPAND CUSTOM TRAVEL, HOTEL VENTURES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Tokyo-headquartered Only One Corp, a travel agency specialising in bespoke journeys, has successfully raised 100 million Japanese yen through over 20 individual investors. (100 Japanese yen = RM2.92)

Only One in a statement said the funds raised will be utilised for business expansion and to maximise experiential value, aiming to provide "life-changing" travel experiences to a broader audience.

Through the funds, the agency will introduce small-group curated tours offering exclusive access to remote locations and extraordinary experiences, with the aim to launch at least three small-group tours per country across 30 countries, totalling 100 tours, by the end of 2025.

In addition to tour services, it is launching a hotel management business, covering safari lodges in Kenya, estates with vast landscapes, and beach resorts, creating new revenue streams while maintaining its focus on "experiential luxury" in collaboration with partner hotels.

Furthermore, Only One will expand into new global markets with plans to establish offices in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and India to attract more travellers from these regions.

Operating as a travel agency that curates unique, one-of-a-kind experiences worldwide, Only One’s vision is to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime journey, providing bespoke travel experiences tailored to clients’ family structures, life stages, and financial situations.

Founded in Panama in 2012, Only One expanded into Africa in 2018 and now offers tours across Latin America, Africa, and inbound travel to Japan.

By handling all aspects of tour planning, sales, and on-site service operations, the agency reduces costs and enhances value for customers, unlike the traditional industry model that involves multiple intermediaries.

Its chief executive officer, Yosuke Yamada, a seasoned traveller of over 20 years, is dedicated to providing "life-changing" experiences, grounded in his research into "experiential luxury" that prioritises the value derived from experiences over material wealth.

-- BERNAMA

CANADA-IN-ASIA CONFERENCE RETURNS TO SINGAPORE FEBRUARY 19-21, 2025

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) and Universities Canada are excited to invite members of the media to the third annual Canada-in-Asia Conference in Singapore from February 19–21, 2025.

The Canada-in-Asia Conference 2025 (CIAC2025) will convene business leaders, experts, investors, policymakers, researchers, and innovators from across Asia and Canada to exchange perspectives, knowledge, and ideas with the goal of facilitating collaborative partnerships and increasing bilateral trade and investment.

CIAC2025, taking place at the Raffles City Convention Centre, will focus on four critical sectors (Agri-food & Food Security, Ocean Tech & Blue Economy, Clean Technology, and Energy Transitions & Energy Security) with four cross-cutting engagement tracks (Innovation Ecosystems, Investment & Finance, Trade & Supply Chains, Artificial Intelligence).

The conference program will provide networking and inter-disciplinary discussion on some of the most pressing issues in Canada-Asia relations with high-calibre speakers from a range of backgrounds: dynamic business leaders, innovators, investors, government ministers, trade representatives, university presidents, senior researchers, and more.

The CIAC2025 Gala Dinner on February 20 will feature astronauts Shawna Pandya (Canada) and Koichi Wakata (Japan) in a discussion on Canada-Asia Co-operation in Space.

Join us at the Canada-in-Asia Conference 2025, the premier gathering for Canada-Asia collaboration.

Accredited members of the media are invited to attend the Canada-in-Asia Conferences 2025 and/or Gala Dinner as space allows. Please contact our media representative below for further information and complimentary registration.

The Canada-in-Asia Conference is presented with the assistance of the Government of Canada. APF Canada and Universities Canada are grateful for this support. We would also like to thank our Major Partners, FinDev Canada, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and Invest in Canada; Supporting Partners, Air Canada, the Hinrich Foundation, and Royal Bank of Canada; Associate Partners, CIBC, CPP Investments, DIGITAL, Export Development Canada (EDC), Fasken, Farm Credit Canada, Gowling WLG, the Government of Saskatchewan, and Sun Life; and, University Partners, University of Saskatchewan, University of Calgary, McGill, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, Western University Canada, and University of Waterloo.

Key Links:

Conference Website: www.canada-in-asia.ca
APF Canada: www.asiapacific.ca
Universities Canada: www.univcan.ca 

Contacts:

Media
Michael Roberts        
Communications Director | Directeur des communications
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada | Fondation Asie Pacifique du Canada
communications@asiapacific.ca
Mobile: 604-649-4863

Universities Canada
Lisa Wallace
Assistant Director Communications | Directrice adjointe des communication
communications@univcan.ca
Mobile : 343-999-7183

About the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada:

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is an independent not-for-profit organization focused on Canada’s relations with Asia. APF Canada is dedicated to strengthening ties between Canada and Asia through its research, education, and convening activities. For over four decades, our research has provided high-quality, relevant, and timely information, insights, and perspectives on Canada-Asia relations for Canadians and stakeholders across the Asia Pacific. Our mission is to be Canada’s catalyst for engagement with Asia and Asia’s bridge to Canada.

Visit APF Canada at www.asiapacific.ca

About Universities Canada:

Universities Canada is the voice of Canadian universities, at home and abroad. A membership organization providing university presidents with a unified voice for higher education, research, and innovation, Universities Canada advances the mission of its member institutions to transform lives, strengthen communities, and find solutions to the most pressing challenges facing our world. The organization advocates for Canadian universities at the federal level, provides a forum for university leaders to share ideas and address challenges in higher education, supports students by providing information on university study and offering scholarships on behalf of private sector companies, and fosters collaboration among universities and governments, the private sector, communities, and international partners.

Visit Universities Canada at www.univcan.ca

SOURCE: Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

--BERNAMA

CARBONAI, GREENPLINTH AFRICA JOIN FORCES FOR MAJOR CLEAN COOKSTOVE PROGRAMME IN NIGERIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- CarbonAi Inc and Greenplinth Africa Limited have entered into an agreement under which CarbonAi will provide its software tools to support the digital measurement, reporting and verification (DMRV) of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from a large-scale clean cookstove programme to be developed by Greenplinth Africa in Nigeria.

The programme will distribute millions of clean cookstoves to households across Nigeria and Africa over the next five years, drastically reducing deforestation, GHG emissions, respiratory illness, gender inequality, and other issues associated with traditional open-fire cooking, according to a statement.

“Scaling clean cooking is absolutely critical in any GHG mitigation pathway but it will only happen if project investors and carbon credit buyers have confidence in the integrity of underlying reductions.

“We look forward to helping Greenplinth Africa generate the highest quality emission reductions possible, thereby ensuring that the programme will reach its full potential,” said CarbonAi’s Chief Carbon Officer, Yvan Champagne.

Meanwhile, Greenplinth Africa President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Olawale Akinwumi said the provision of free clean cookstoves is set to transform the lives of millions of Nigerians, particularly women and children, who are disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of traditional cooking practices.

Clean cookstoves are a critical project type for achieving sustainable development benefits in economically disadvantaged regions and are often financed through the sale of carbon credits resulting from the displacement of open-fire cooking by highly efficient, cleaner-burning stoves.

Carbon-financed cookstove projects have been subject to intense scrutiny related to the accuracy and reliability of conventional quantification methods, putting the continued financing of such projects and the many benefits they generate at grave risk.

CarbonAi has developed Spark, a patent-pending suite of tools for the end-to-end quantification, verification, issuance and management of high-integrity GHG reduction outcomes from cookstove projects, including a proprietary stove use meter to monitor and precisely measure cookstove usage.

Spark was developed to bridge the gap between existing carbon market infrastructure and the emerging digital carbon market ecosystem to provide irrefutable proof of claimed GHG reductions, helping project developers to deliver high-integrity, high-value carbon credits.

-- BERNAMA