XPeng has secured L3 autonomous driving road test permits in its headquarters city of Guangzhou and initiated regular road testing, local media outlet Yicai reported today.

The permits primarily authorize conditional autonomous driving tests on designated routes within Guangzhou, the report noted.

XPeng vice president Yu Tao subsequently confirmed the report, saying he looks forward to surprises in the first quarter of next year.

XPeng shares pared losses in Hong Kong, and rose more than 1% in US overnight trading.