The letter X is highly uncommon when it comes to car brands that start with X. There are barely any automotive brands with an X initial and the ones that exist mostly hail from China. It is somewhat disappointing that car companies are not using unique letters like X to make their names or brands stand out. As a car fanatic, I am always up for learning about a new player in the global automotive industry with a name that piques my interest.
While it may take time for companies to get out of the shadows of famous letters like F or T, let us explore the rare car brands that start with the letter X and see how many are still functional and have gone into oblivion.
1. XPeng
XPeng Motors, commonly known as XPeng, is a Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicles. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong. Apart from China, this car brand has offices in Germany and the United States.
XPeng has quickly risen to prominence in the EV market, all thanks to its undivided focus on creating smart, connected electric vehicles, giving tough competition to global EV players like Tesla.
This X-initial car brand is at the forefront of China’s electric vehicles revolution. Its emphasis on intelligent technology and autonomous driving positions it as a prominent player at the global level, where there is a strong shift towards sustainable and connected transportation.
XPeng P7 and XPeng G3 are the most notable models of this carmaker. The P7 is a stylish and technologically advanced electric sedan offering impressive range and autonomous driving capabilities. Whereas G3 is an electric SUV that combines modern design with advanced tech & safety features.
2. Xinkai
Xinkai, officially known as Xinkai Auto Manufacture Corporation, is a Chinese car brand founded in 1984 and headquartered in Gaobeidian, Hebei, China. This company initially used to manufacture agricultural machinery before transitioning to automobile production.
This Chinese automaker primarily focuses on making commercial vehicles (like trucks) and sport utility vehicles. Earlier, it used to assemble Mercedes Benz commercial vehicles for Chinese markets and export its original trucks to Africa and Latin America.
Xinkai has carved out a niche in the commercial vehicle sector by providing affordable and reliable transportation solutions for businesses and industries. Its focus on durability and functionality has earned it a reputation as a dependable car manufacturer.
The HXK and XK-Series Trucks are some of the most prominent builds of this Chinese car brand. The former is a versatile SUV known for its off-road capabilities and reliability, whereas the latter are trucks valued for their durability and efficiency.
3. Xiali
Xiali is another notable car brand beginning with X hailing from China. It was founded in 1986 and was originally a part of the Tianjin Automotive Industry Group. Later, it became a subsidiary of FAW Group, one of China’s biggest vehicle manufacturers.
With time, Xiali vehicles became highly popular in China, thanks to the practicality and affordability they offered. This automotive brand played a crucial role in making cars accessible to a broader segment of the Chinese population. Its focus on affordability without compromising on functionality helped motorize millions of Chinese families.
Xiali became defunct in 2020, with FAW Group emerging as its successor. The TJ7100 and N3 are some of the most popular cars produced by Xiali.
4. Xiamen Golden Dragon
Xiamen Golden Dragon is a Chinese joint venture company established in 1992. This automaker is highly popular for developing, making, and selling 5m to 18m long luxury buses and light vans. All its vehicles come with the trademark of “Golden Dragon.”
Xiamen is one of China’s top ten bus brands and bus manufacturers. Its buses have been exported to nearly 40 countries and regions, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Currently, the company is working hard to get into the European market, and I have no doubt that they will succeed in it.
Apart from buses, Xiamen also produces coaches and vans and is a part of King Long, one of the largest bus producers in China.
5. Xenia
Xenia is a collaboration brand of the Japanese automakers Daihatsu and Toyota. It was established in 2003 to specifically design vehicles for the Southeast Asian market, particularly Indonesia, where, over the years, it has become trendy.
Xenia has significantly impacted the Indonesian automotive market by offering reliable and cost-effective transportation options to the locals. Like Daihatsu and Toyota, Xenia offers practicality, comfort, and affordability, making it a prominent choice in the Indonesian market.
6. Xedos
Xedos was a luxury brand for a range of executive cars launched by Mazda in the early 1990s. It was created by Mazda to compete with other Japanese luxury brands like Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti. Xedos aimed to combine Mazda’s engineering expertise with upscale design and features that no one could ignore.
Xedos 6 and Xedos 9 were the two most notable produced by this brand. Both of these rides were similar to the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series, but neither of them was able to make any strong impact.
Xedos production ceased in 2000. Although this Japanese X initial carmaker was not commercially successful, it successfully communicated that Mazda could produce luxury vehicles. This brand contributed greatly to the development of Mazda’s later premium models.
7. XFX
In the world of the automotive industry, where nothing is limited, experimental brands and concepts occasionally surface, showcasing the latest technology and innovation. One such experimental brand that is worth your attention is the XFX. This brand represents experimental initiatives, often from lesser-known companies or as concept projects by established brands.
Generally, experimental brands like XFX do not reach the level of mass production. However, they play a crucial role in pushing the boundaries of automotive design and technology, often inspiring future models and technological advancements.
XFX Prototype X and XFX Urban Commute are two worth-knowing models of this car-making company.
The Prototype X is a futuristic concept car with cutting-edge technology like electric propulsion, advanced aerodynamics, and autonomous driving features. Meanwhile, the Urban Commute is an eco-friendly compact car designed for city driving and focuses mainly on sustainability and efficiency.
8. Xiaolong
Xiaolong, formally known as Xiaolong Automotive Technologies Co., Ltd., is a Chinese company that builds trucks and military vehicles but specializes in developing and producing automotive technologies. The company started its independent research and development in 1998 and, since then, has been one of the strong names in the Chinese automotive industry.
Xiaolong exports its vehicles to Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other international markets. One of the most exciting things about this carmaker is that the special industries in China, like forest fire prevention, domestic oil exploration, emergency rescue, and disaster relief, have started using Xiaolong vehicles over other car brands.
9. Xos Inc
Xos Inc. is a Los Angeles-based American car brand that starts with X. This automaker is a leader in the electric truck manufacturing section and fleet electrification services. Xos builds medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, mainly the ones used for last-mile delivery and back-to-base routes.
This automaker is committed to offering battery electric cars that are easier to maintain and more cost-effective than internal combustion engine vehicles like Nissan Versa, JDM cars under $10000, and more.
In 2024, XOs announced the acquisition of ElectraMeccanica, a designer and assembler of electric vehicles. This strategic move of this X letter brand is expected to accelerate its growth and expand its product offerings.
In conclusion, currently, there are only eight working and one defunct car brands that start with the letter X of the English alphabet. Only one is American, two are Japanese, and the remaining six are Chinese. Despite being small in number compared to voluminous car brands that start with F or N, these manufacturers have a strong presence in the automotive industry.
All these automakers are working hard in their segment at national levels, while a few are working on going global, especially in the electric vehicles category.
