XPeng (NYSE:XPEV) shares skyrocketed over 19% today as the Chinese EV powerhouse rolled out a parade of game-changing updates at its AI Day in Guangzhou. The star of the show? The P7+ sedana smart, AI-driven vehicle positioned to take on Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) head-to-head. With a price tag that undercuts Tesla's Model 3 by a good 5%, XPeng's offering looks like a smart bet for value-seekers in China's booming luxury EV scene. This isn't just about price; XPeng's commitment to autonomous tech without relying on costly sensors is a major step toward making high-tech EVs accessible to the masses.

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The numbers back it up too. October was a banner month for XPeng, with a record-breaking 23,917 deliveries, fueled by the budget-friendly Mona M03 model, which starts at a remarkably accessible $17,000. While rival Chinese automakers like Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI) and Nio (NYSE:NIO) saw gains, XPeng's pricing and tech are striking a chord with a broad swath of consumers. In a market where EVs now make up half of all new car sales, XPeng is tapping into massive demand and using affordable ADAS tech to carve out a loyal customer base. And the company's sights are set well beyond Chinaits recent expansion into the Middle East and plans to hit 60 countries by 2025 signal a serious bid for global growth.

Analysts are taking notice. Morgan Stanley bumped XPeng's price target to $17.00, citing its edge in AI and strategic positioning. With a cash-rich balance sheet, innovative tech, and smart partnerships in play, XPeng is setting itself up to scale aggressively in an intensely competitive field. And with Tesla's FSD launch in China delayed, XPeng has an open shot to capture even more market share. By adding hybrid tech to its portfolio with the Kunpeng system, XPeng is clearly aiming to stay one step ahead. For investors, this makes XPeng a compelling player to watch as it powers forward in the global EV race.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.