# Race against Tesla: China EV maker Xpeng to launch viral humanoid globally in 2027 > Source: > Published: 2026-07-16 23:00:09+00:00 # Race against Tesla: China EV maker Xpeng to launch viral humanoid globally in 2027 CEO He Xiaopeng projects the firm will sell 1 million robots by 2030 after ramping up mass production [Daniel Ren](/author/daniel-ren)in Shanghai Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng expects to produce more than 1,000 humanoid robots a month by the end of 2026 as it competes with Tesla in a high-stakes race to dominate physical AI, the integration of intelligent software into robotics and machinery. The Guangzhou-based carmaker told the South China Morning Post in a statement on Thursday that its manufacturing capacity would pave the way for the global launch of Iron, its next-generation humanoid robot, with commercial deliveries projected to begin in 2027. In November, CEO He Xiaopeng, also Xpeng’s co-founder, said the company expected to sell 1 million robots by 2030 as he pledged to lower production costs and make robots more affordable for households. Xpeng’s Iron runs on the company’s Vision-Language-Action 2.0 AI model. Unlike older systems that translate images into text-based code before executing a movement, the newer model allows the robot’s neural network to convert visual data directly into motion, improving task efficiency and reducing information loss. [Tesla’s Optimus](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3356396/chinas-ev-giants-challenge-tesla-race-commercialise-humanoid-robots?module=inline&pgtype=article)because it has yet to be commercialised.” ``` YouTube video player ``` [halt production of its Model S and Model X cars](https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3350076/shanghai-gigafactory-has-potential-construct-humanoid-robots-tesla-china-president?module=inline&pgtype=article)and convert the plant where they were made in Fremont, California, to build humanoid robots. The company has yet to sell its Optimus humanoid robot.