The G6 is Xpeng's first model launched in Thailand, and the SUV will also be available in Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia in the coming months.

Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) has launched its first model in Thailand, after striking a deal with a local dealer 5 months ago.

The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker launched the right-hand drive version of the Xpeng G6 SUV (sport utility vehicle) in Thailand at an event on August 21, marking a major step in its expansion in Southeast Asia, according to a statement today.

The current vehicle system language for the G6 available in Thailand is English, and Xpeng plans to offer a Thai version of the system in the future.

Xpeng will provide a full range of services to customers by establishing a marketing and service network in major cities in Thailand, it said.

It will also launch the G6 in Malaysia this month and will start selling the electric SUV in markets including Singapore and Australia starting next month, the company said.

Similar to what other car makers, including BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY), have done, Xpeng sells cars in Thailand through partnerships with local dealers.

On March 26, Xpeng announced a long-term strategic partnership with Thai dealer group Neo Mobility Asia at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show.

Xpeng has significantly stepped up its efforts to expand internationally this year, with its management saying in an August 20 earnings call that the company's global models and presence in overseas markets have begun to enter a period of more rapid development, which will be one of the key drivers of sales and earnings growth.

In the second quarter, overseas markets contributed more than 10 percent of sales for the first time, according to the company, which delivered 30,207 vehicles in the second quarter, up 30.17 percent from the same period last year and up 38.43 percent from the first quarter.

By the end of July, Xpeng had expanded its presence to more than 30 countries and regions through dealer partners, and had more than 70 sales outlets across Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, Xpeng management said.

Xpeng will enter more right-hand drive markets in the second half of the year, including the UK, Australia and countries in Southeast Asia, according to the company.

Xpeng's number of sales stores in international markets is expected to double in the second half of this year, the company's management said.

Xpeng sees gross margin improve further in Q2, net loss narrows