Xiaomi Unveils SU7 EV Sedan

Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant, is poised to make a significant impact on the electric vehicle (EV) market with its debut offering, the SU7 performance sedan. Having entered the automotive industry in March 2021 with a substantial RMB 10 billion yuan investment, Xiaomi is gearing up for mass production of the SU7 in mid-to-late February, aiming for an expected monthly output of 2,000 units in March.

Positioned as a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model S, the SU7 boasts impressive specifications, including acceleration in under 3 seconds and an 800V fast-charging architecture. Despite Xiaomi’s reputation for budget-friendly products, the SU7 is competitively priced in two trims: the SU7 RWD at $35,200 and the SU7 AWD at $55,000. The top trim, equipped with a high-nickel 101 kWh battery from CATL and a powerful 495kW (664 hp) output, is expected to exceed $50,000.

Built on Xiaomi’s internally developed 800V electric vehicle architecture named Modena, the SU7 incorporates the advanced Hyper OS for smart functions and connectivity. It includes self-driving functionality with input from high-resolution cameras, LiDAR, and ultrasonic sensors, showcasing Xiaomi’s commitment to cutting-edge technology in the automotive sector.

Despite its pricing ranging from $35,200 to over $50,000, Xiaomi justifies the cost by highlighting advanced features, high-performance components, and a novel Hypercasting manufacturing method. The company has invested a significant $10 billion in research and development expenses, employing a dedicated team of 3,400 engineers for the SU7’s development.

While facing challenges associated with the Chinese New Year holiday, Xiaomi anticipates increased communication and adjustment costs. However, with most research and development and validation testing completed before the Start of Production (SOP) stage, Xiaomi aims to efficiently overcome challenges during this phase, where monthly production is expected to surpass 2,000 vehicles.

Xiaomi’s ambitious plans include completing capacity ramp-up by mid-2024, with monthly production expected to exceed 10,000 units in July 2024. Despite a departure from Xiaomi’s traditional midrange pricing, the SU7’s competitive positioning reflects the company’s determination to make a significant impact in the automotive industry. Consumers and industry enthusiasts eagerly await the official launch date.