Xiaomi Set to Challenge Tesla
Xiaomi Corporation is gearing up for a monumental leap into the automotive industry, aiming to debut a luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) reminiscent of Tesla Inc.’s Model Y as early as 2025. This ambitious endeavor marks a significant expansion of Xiaomi’s $10 billion electric vehicle (EV) initiative, led by billionaire co-founder Lei Jun.
The company’s foray into EVs seeks to diversify its revenue streams beyond the volatile smartphone market, where it faces fierce competition from global behemoths like Apple Inc. and local rivals. Xiaomi’s initial foray into EVs saw the production of its debut SU7 electric car, with plans to manufacture approximately 100,000 units this year.
According to insiders familiar with the matter, Xiaomi has meticulously benchmarked its forthcoming SUV against Tesla’s renowned Model Y during the developmental phase. This strategic move underscores Xiaomi’s commitment to delivering a premium electric vehicle that rivals established players in the market.
While specific details regarding the SUV’s specifications and pricing remain undisclosed, Xiaomi’s plans signal a bold step into the burgeoning luxury SUV segment, which is experiencing a surge in popularity across China. Reports from local media outlet Yicai initially unveiled Xiaomi’s aspirations for EV production, highlighting the company’s ambition to redefine the automotive landscape.
Discussions surrounding the SUV commenced in 2021 when Lei Jun announced Xiaomi’s pivot towards EVs as a pivotal entrepreneurial endeavor. However, the company opted to prioritize the production of the SU7 sedan, priced at over $30,000 and bearing design cues reminiscent of Tesla’s Model 3 and the Porsche Taycan.
While the SUV’s mass production is slated for late 2025, contingent upon the completion of Xiaomi’s assembly factory in Beijing, the company is currently focused on ramping up production of the SU7 sedan. With capacity constraints limiting monthly deliveries to fewer than 10,000 units, Xiaomi aims to address burgeoning demand before venturing into the SUV market.
Xiaomi’s foray into the EV sector comes amid intensifying competition in the Chinese market, dominated by industry titans Tesla and BYD Co. Despite the challenges posed by a fiercely competitive landscape, Xiaomi’s SU7 series has garnered overwhelming demand, with close to 90,000 confirmed orders within a month of its launch.
Buoyed by the positive market response and a surge in stock value following the SU7’s debut, Xiaomi’s EV business is poised for accelerated growth. Analysts at HSBC Qianhai Securities anticipate Xiaomi’s EV division to break even by 2026, driven by improving capacity and robust demand for premium models. With shipments projected to exceed 240,000 units by 2025, Xiaomi is poised to reshape the luxury EV segment, signaling a paradigm shift in the automotive industry.
Also read: Xiaomi Sets Singles Day Sales Record with $3.11 Billion in Transactions
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