He Xiaopeng

William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of Nio, and Li Auto, founder, chairman and CEO of Li Auto, did not make the list.

The camera must be the most important, just like a person is looking at the whole world with their eyes.

Xpeng Motors' model of building smart cars will be used to build smart robots, the company's chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said after announcing a smart robot pony.

The penetration rate of electric vehicles is generally more than 15 percent in first-tier cities, meaning customer acceptance of EVs is on the rise, He said.

Xpeng delivered 6,565 units in June including 4,730 units of the P7. By comparison, the Audi A4 sold 9,201 units in China in June.

China's NEV penetration could reach 30 percent by 2025, and even 60 percent in first-tier cities where there are restrictions on car purchases, he said.

Xpeng Motors will launch a new product platform for international markets within two years and will consider global automotive regulatory norms in its development.

"Because the entry of these companies will accelerate the pie getting bigger, accelerate the smart experience getting stronger, and ultimately can accelerate the change or even disrupt the original model and system of the automotive industry," he wrote.

If a company can't build a smart car at pricing below RMB 150,000, that means 70 percent of major Chinese consumers can't afford one, which could lead to smart cars becoming a niche product.

He said that three of China's top 10 electric vehicle brands currently sell for more than 250,000 yuan, including Tesla and Xpeng.