(Yicai) Nov. 4 -- Xpeng Motors said it is in positive communication with ArcelorMittal after the steel giant brought a lawsuit against the Chinese electric vehicle maker and other firms alleging they infringed one of its patents.

Xpeng’s intellectual property team and procurement, manufacturing and other departments work to ensure that materials used in target markets do not infringe on patents by sourcing from designated suppliers, the company told Yicai yesterday.

Xpeng has asked suppliers to verify the source of the relevant materials to confirm that they meet its requirements, the Guangzhou-based firm added.

ArcelorMittal recently filed the lawsuit at the Unified Patent Court in Europe, claiming that Xpeng and other companies, including German auto dealer Moll Group, were infringing a coated steel strip patent it was granted in 2021. The patent is not due to expire until October 2026.

Some have suggested that ArcelorMittal may be hoping to use this lawsuit to compel firms such as Xpeng to source products from the Luxembourg-based steelmaker.

Xpeng said it attaches great importance to IP rights and independent innovation. As of Oct. 28, the firm had applied for a total of 6,212 patents, and has obtained 3,206, in areas such as autonomous driving, intelligent cockpits, and powertrains.

Editor: Tom Litting