Shanghai (ZXZC)- The Chinese leading smart phone vendor Xiaomi will begin a cross-platform partnership with Xpeng Motors, a Guangzhou-based EV startup.

At a recent new product launching ceremony, Lei Jun, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, said a new function for the Mi 9 Pro 5G-based phone will be connected to the Xpeng P7, the startup's first sedan model, in the first place. According to Mr. Lei, the new function will allow a car owner to open the door through a simple action—putting his phone to the door—with the NFC (near field communication) feature working as the key.

（Photo source: Xiaomi's WeChat account)

“The mobile phone is the car key; the door will be opened once the phone comes near,” the smart phone maker gave the tagline for the Mi 9 Pro, demonstrating its highlight over the technical achievement worked with Xpeng Motor.

“Using the 5G smart phone, people can open the car door easily! In the future, wallet and key will be replaced by your phone,” said He Xiaopeng, chairman of Xpeng Motors.

The eye-catching crossover could be a win-win cooperation to both parties' marketing strategies. Although using mobile phone as car key is not an entirely disruptive application, it still hit the spot for those consumers who wish to combine their phones and cars. Besides, the innovative function is expected to help Xpeng Motors differentiate itself from numerous startups since uniqueness is regarded as a great weapon.

(Photo source: Xpeng Motors)

The Xpeng P7 made its world's debut at the 2019 Auto Shanghai and was also displayed earlier this month at the Chengdu Motor Show. The yet-to-be-sold sedan model is said to hit the market in next March and handed over to consumers from the second quarter of 2020, people with direct knowledge of the plans said.