XPeng (XPEV) shares rose more than 3% in Thursday premarket activity, a day after The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Chinese EV maker plans to launch its IRON humanoid robot globally next year, with monthly production capacity expected to exceed 1,000 units by the end of this year.

The company plans to deploy the robots as shopping assistants at its China stores in early 2027 before expanding overseas later that year, the report said on Wednesday morning, sending the stock up 3.1% at the market close.

The move is part of XPeng's strategy to evolve into a physical AI company by leveraging its autonomous driving and AI technologies beyond electric vehicles, the report said.

XPeng did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

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