The exclusive Australian distributor for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand XPENG has been placed into external administration while pursuing Federal Court action against the manufacturer, creating uncertainty for customers and dealer partners.
True EV Distribution Pty Ltd, which has served as XPENG’s sole importer, distributor and retailer since May 2024, had external administrators appointed on 19 March 2026, according to filings with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Insolvency practitioners Daniel Juratowitch and Barry Wight of Cor Cordis have been appointed as administrators. ASIC filings list 197 vehicles under their control across locations in Melbourne, Brisbane, Wollongong and Fremantle.
The administrators appear to have been appointed by instrument, suggesting a lender that financed vehicle stock has moved to secure its position after loan conditions were not met.
Federal Court proceedings underway
Separately, TrueEV has initiated legal action in the Federal Court of Australia against three XPENG entities — Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Trading Co Limited, Shenzhen Xiaopeng Motors Supply Chain Management Co Ltd, and Xpeng Motors Australia Pty Limited.
The proceedings commenced on 3 March 2026, with the next hearing scheduled for 30 March. The substance of the dispute has not been made public through court filings.
XPENG has been quiet in words but significant in action in moving towards taking control of the brand. It has opened its own office and launched the brand in New Zealand, suggesting the manufacturer is preparing for more direct regional operations. This follows a path already taken by BYD, which transitioned away from independent distributor EVDirect to a factory-backed structure.
Customer concerns mount
The administration raises immediate questions around warranty coverage, parts supply and servicing arrangements for the more than 2000 XPENG vehicles delivered in Australia since the brand launched in August 2024.
Reports from XPENG owner groups on social media indicate some customers who purchased vehicles from December 2025 onwards are yet to receive promised cashback payments, with some reporting difficulty getting responses from the company.
TrueEV had flagged an ambitious 2026 product rollout, with an updated G6, a new G9L large SUV and the X9 people mover all slated for local introduction. The X9 was due to have pricing confirmed during the first quarter, ahead of deliveries in the second quarter. No pricing or specifications have been announced for any of those models with the quarter nearly complete.
Distribution challenges highlighted
The situation highlights the challenges facing independent distributors of Chinese EV brands in Australia. Building a viable distribution operation requires substantial capital investment across logistics, dealer networks and aftersales infrastructure — commitments that remain demanding even as EV sales grow.
TrueEV had expanded to 18 retail locations by the end of 2025 and had targeted at least 25 by year’s end. The company does not report sales figures through VFACTS or the Electric Vehicle Council.
TrueEV chief executive Jason Clarke acknowledged operational challenges in December last year, noting that stock and parts availability remained ongoing issues for the young brand.
Neither TrueEV nor XPENG has made a public statement regarding the administration or its implications for customers and dealer partners. The administration process will determine the company’s future, with outcomes ranging from restructuring to a full wind-up of operations.
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