Xpeng is facing criticism in China after a product manager used a derogatory slang term for older people while presenting the MONA L05 SUV on October 15. The five-seat model opened for pre-sales at 169,800 to 191,800 yuan, and its official price was scheduled to be announced on October 29. Product manager Etta, who was born after 2000, reportedly used the term to dismiss wood-grain and chrome styling favored by senior managers and urged the company to reject that aesthetic.
Online responses focused on the implication that older customers were unwelcome, with some commenters saying they would no longer consider buying an Xpeng. The reaction carried particular weight because MONA has delivered more than 350,000 vehicles in two years, while its M03 sedan had led the 100,000-to-200,000-yuan all-electric sedan segment for 24 consecutive months.
Etta posted an apology video on October 22, saying the remark had been an internal joke about rigid design thinking, not a comment on age. Two days later, Xpeng Vice Chairman Vu Dao defended her, describing the phrase as workplace banter and asking critics to ease up. That response drew further criticism; a Sina commentary also noted that MONA’s official account had previously used the same slang in promotional copy.
A further dispute arose after users questioned whether a ring in the apology video had been digitally altered. The platform labeled the clip as suspected AI-generated content, but Xpeng and Etta had not addressed the allegation by October 27, and no conclusion had been reported. The article also recalls a 2021 Xpeng campaign that drew complaints from male customers after it joked about teasing successful men.