(Yicai Global) Aug. 30 -- He Xiaopeng, a core backer of Guangzhou Chengxing Zhidong Auto Technology Co. (Xiaopeng Automobile), has officially joined the company as its chairman, Xiaopeng Automobile told Yicai Global yesterday.

A growing number of internet firms are entering the car-making business. He, a co-founder of UCWeb Inc., said recently that he left his post at Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. [NYSE:BABA] to focus on manufacturing automobiles using his internet knowledge and that he will build a business of his own for a second time by capitalizing on new opportunities in the automotive industry.

"The future will be an era featuring the integration of manufacturing and the internet," He said. "Automobiles will become more intelligent and connected. To develop quality products that focus more on data and user experience, as a maker of new energy internet-connected cars, Xiaopeng Automobile must leverage talents in both the traditional car-making industry and the internet industry."

Founded in 2014, Xiaopeng Automobile developed core systems of web-connected cars before engaging in prototyping and car manufacturing in early 2015. It finished designing an automobile in the second half of last year. Xiaopeng Automobile's first prototype vehicle rolled off the production line and underwent tests in February. The group has produced more than 100 trial vehicles. Xiaopeng Automobile said last month that it had completed its final tests, making it the first Chinese internet-connected vehicle producer with a market-ready car. The company plans to unveil its inaugural batch of autos this year.