XPENG Named OICA Secretary of New UNECE Automated Driving Task Force
XPENG is serving as OICA Secretary for the newly established Task Force on Exchange of Scenario-Relevant Information (TF-ESRI), which operates under GRVA/WP.29 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). According to the company, the role involves supporting the coordination and administration of the task force.
- XPENG is serving as OICA Secretary for the new UNECE task force TF-ESRI, under GRVA/WP.29.
- TF-ESRI is co-chaired by France and China and includes regulators, approval authorities, technical experts and industry representatives.
- XPENG will work alongside the SAE Secretary to support the task force.
- Topics for exchange include road environments, traffic behaviours, safety performance, incident investigations and operational experience.
- XPENG links the effort to the implementation phase of regulations such as UN R185 and GTR26.
What the role involves
XPENG says it has taken on a key international role in advancing global collaboration on automated driving. As OICA Secretary for TF-ESRI, the company is supporting the coordination and administration of the task force and helping facilitate the exchange of information and experience among participants.
OICA, the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, represents the global automotive industry in international discussions on vehicle standards and regulations. XPENG represents the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) within OICA, and the appointment has the full support of CAAM, according to the announcement.
The task force is co-chaired by France and China. XPENG will work alongside the SAE Secretary. SAE International is a global association representing engineering and technical professionals, and the company says it brings additional expertise and perspectives to the discussions.
Who takes part and what they share
TF-ESRI brings together regulators, approval authorities, technical experts and industry representatives from around the world. Their aim is to share real-world experience and insights relevant to automated driving.
According to XPENG, automated driving systems are being developed and tested across increasingly diverse road and traffic environments. The task force is meant to give participants from different regions a platform to exchange practical information. The topics named in the announcement are:
- road environments
- traffic behaviours
- safety performance
- incident investigations
- operational experience
XPENG says that bringing these groups together can help build a broader understanding of automated driving across markets.
Why the exchange matters now
The company points to the growing need for this kind of exchange as automated driving regulations such as UN R185 and GTR26 move into the implementation phase and the industry prepares for wider deployment. Automated driving systems will meet different road networks, traffic patterns and operating conditions in different markets.
XPENG argues that sharing experience from these environments can help stakeholders better understand the range of scenarios such systems may face and the safety considerations involved. Such exchanges, it says, can support the development, testing, approval and operation of automated driving systems. They can also help developers, operators, regulators and approval authorities prepare for deployment in different markets, including future autonomous mobility services.
What it means for the industry
The announcement frames the secretary role as a way for XPENG to contribute to international collaboration and knowledge sharing. The company says it supports efforts toward the safe, scalable and more globally aligned deployment of automated driving technologies and future autonomous mobility services. It adds that it looks forward to supporting an open and constructive exchange that benefits the wider automated driving ecosystem.
The release does not describe specific outputs, deadlines or binding rules from the task force. For now, TF-ESRI is presented as a forum for sharing information and experience rather than a body setting new requirements.
XPENG describes itself as a Physical AI company headquartered in Guangzhou, with a product portfolio that includes smart EVs, robotaxis and humanoid robots. It is dual-primary listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.