As the new year dawned, He Xiaopeng, the Chairman of XPENG, proclaimed that the DeepSeek moment—a pivotal juncture—for autonomous driving had arrived. On March 2, he revealed that XPENG's second-generation Vehicle-Level Autonomy (VLA) system would be fully deployed later this month. This marks the debut of a version specifically designed for fully autonomous driving, with swift iterations to follow. He forecasted that fully autonomous driving would transition from concept to reality within the next 1 to 3 years.

Currently, Robotaxi vehicles equipped with this cutting-edge model have already commenced public road testing. Trial operations are slated to begin within the year, with global distribution earmarked for 2027. Volkswagen is set to be the inaugural customer for this groundbreaking technology.

The second-generation VLA represents a paradigm shift in autonomous driving technology. It eschews reliance on language model translation, instead opting for direct end-to-end mapping. This system excels in data processing, computational power, and other critical areas, boasting comprehensive upgrades across three key experience dimensions: assurance and smoothness of operation, all-scenario adaptability, and high efficiency. These advancements have garnered positive feedback from industry observers and experts alike.

At present, the Robotaxi sector is characterized by fierce competition and persistent safety-related skepticism. XPENG's approach is both prudent and bold. He Xiaopeng envisions the industry making a quantum leap directly from Level 2 (partial automation) to Level 4 (high automation), bypassing intermediate stages. The global rollout of XPENG's second-generation VLA in 2027 signifies a new era for China's intelligent driving industry, heralding a future where autonomous vehicles are commonplace.

However, the realization of the DeepSeek moment for autonomous driving hinges on user acceptance and feedback. The true test lies in whether the technology can seamlessly integrate into daily life, earning the trust and confidence of the public.