XPENG has outlined its global deployment plans for its next-generation VLA 2.0 intelligent driving system, confirming that worldwide deliveries are targeted for 2027. Volkswagen has been designated as the first customer for the system in the China market.
The announcement was made during Xpeng’s VLA Media Experience Day, where the company detailed both the technical architecture of VLA 2.0 and its longer-term strategy for intelligent driving.
One highlight is Volkswagen’s role as the inaugural launch partner for VLA 2.0 in China. Rather than remaining exclusive to Xpeng vehicles, the system will be adopted by a major global manufacturer, suggesting a broader commercial application beyond Xpeng’s own product range.
While technical integration details were not disclosed, the partnership positions VLA 2.0 as a licensable intelligent driving platform rather than a closed ecosystem feature.
VLA stands for Vision-Language-Action. Traditional VLA models typically process driving inputs through a sequence: visual perception is translated into language-based reasoning before generating vehicle control commands.
Xpeng’s VLA 2.0 removes the intermediate language layer and shifts to an end-to-end vision-to-action architecture. The system directly translates visual input from the environment into driving actions. According to the company, this improves response speed and reduces latency while enhancing generalisation across varied road conditions.
Xpeng also states that VLA 2.0 reduces reliance on high-definition maps and rigid rule-based programming. Instead, it is designed to interpret real-world environments more flexibly, enabling smoother responses in dense urban traffic and mixed road scenarios.
Xpeng confirmed that Robotaxi prototypes equipped with VLA 2.0 have already begun public road testing in China, with trial operations scheduled to begin later this year. International road testing is expected to follow as part of preparations for global rollout.
The company did not provide a fixed timeline for fully autonomous commercial deployment, noting that higher levels of automation will progress in line with regulatory developments in different markets.
Xpeng describes VLA 2.0 as its first model designed with full autonomous driving capability in mind. The company stated that autonomy could become commonplace within the next one to three years, although this remains contingent on regulatory approval.
Beyond passenger vehicles, Xpeng intends to deploy the same AI foundation model across Robotaxi fleets, humanoid robotics and modular flying vehicle platforms as part of its broader Physical AI strategy. Global deliveries of vehicles equipped with VLA 2.0 are currently targeted for 2027.
The Sun Malaysia
