Xiaomi Debuts Its First Electric Vehicle

On Thursday, Xiaomi, a prominent Chinese consumer electronics company, revealed its inaugural electric car model, signaling its ambition to become a global leader in the automotive industry. Known as the world’s fourth-largest smartphone producer, Xiaomi also offers a variety of products including tablets, smartwatches, headphones, and electric scooters.

In 2021, Xiaomi announced its plans to enter the electric vehicle (EV) market, a move mirroring other major Chinese tech companies venturing into this highly competitive field.

The company’s CEO, Lei Jun, showcased the new sedan, named SU7, at a Beijing event. Set to be released in 2025, the SU7 is designed to integrate with Xiaomi’s software, enhancing connectivity with the firm’s diverse range of devices. The vehicle will be manufactured by local company BAIC.

Lei Jun expressed Xiaomi’s objective to rank among the top five global automotive manufacturers within the next 15 to 20 years.

The SU7 will feature batteries supplied by BYD, China’s leading electric automaker, and CATL, a domestic battery giant.

China, holding the title of the world’s largest automotive market, has seen numerous top tech firms investing in its EV sector, where foreign companies have found it challenging to establish a strong presence.

In the Chinese EV market, BYD outperformed competitors in November, selling over 300,000 models, significantly ahead of Tesla’s sales of more than 80,000, as reported by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Xiaomi, founded in 2010, has rapidly expanded by offering high-quality products at competitive prices, initially marketed primarily through online channels.

In 2021, the United States blacklisted Xiaomi due to alleged connections with the Chinese military.