By Scott Murdoch and Yilei Sun
HONG KONG/BEIJING -Chinese smart electric vehicle maker Xpeng Inc said it would raise $1.8 billion to expand its product line-up and develop its technology, by pricing its shares on Wednesday at HK$165 ($21.25) each in a Hong Kong dual primary listing.
The Guangzhou-based company sold 85 million shares which equates to 5% of its stock, according to its prospectus. There is an over-allotment option to sell a further 12.75 million shares that would raise an extra $270 million.
Led by Chief Executive He Xiaopeng, Xpeng will use the funds to develop more advanced smart car technologies, such as autonomous driving functions, with its in-house team of engineers, and will expand its product portfolio. It already has plans for two new car plants in China.
It sells mainly in China, the world's biggest car market, where it competes with Tesla Inc and Nio Inc.
Xpeng's New York American Depository Receipts (ADR) closed Tuesday at $44.32, down nearly 1%. One ADR is the equivalent of two ordinary shares in Hong Kong, a term sheet for the deal shows.
The stock has doubled since its August 2020 debut but is well down from its November peak of $64.28.
Xpeng chose a dual primary listing rather than a secondary listing as it has been listed in New York for less than two years. Under Hong Kong rules, a secondary listing requires at least two financial years of good regulatory compliance on another qualifying exchange.
The dual primary listing allows qualified Chinese investors to take part through the Stock Connect regime linking mainland Chinese and Hong Kong markets, according to the exchange's rules.
($1 = 7.7625 Hong Kong dollars)
