Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi has set a goal for 2027. And this goal of one of the world’s largest smartphone company is not about phones, but Electric Cars. Xiaomi has announced plans to expand its Electric Vehicle (EV) sales into international markets starting in 2027, building on the success of its first mass-produced car in China — SU7. Xiaomi launched the SU7 model in China in March 2024, priced from 215,900 yuan (US$29,636). Competing with Tesla, Xiaomi reportedly delivered 135,000 units between April and December last year, surpassing a key industry benchmark of 10,000 monthly deliveries, after receiving over 248,000 orders. Popularly known as the Tesla rival from China, Xiaomi SU7 is also the same car that Ford CEO Jim Farley expressed admiration for in October 2024. Farley praised the EV for its performance and technology integration.
What president Lu Weibing said on Xiaomi’s car plans
Xiaomi president Lu Weibing told Jiemian News, a financial and business media outlet, “I hope that we can officially start tapping foreign markets in 2027”. Lu Weibing, who spoke to Jiemian News at the MWC Barcelona trade show, said that Xiaomi has begun evaluating overseas markets, particularly in Europe, to understand consumer demand and business potential. Lu added that he plans to visit several European countries following the event. Xiaomi joins a wave of Chinese EV manufacturers and suppliers looking abroad as concerns grow over excess production capacity at home.
“Our overall strategy is to gain a strong foothold at home first,” Lu explained. “If a Chinese carmaker can’t secure a good position in the domestic market, it will struggle to expand overseas.”
Known as the world’s third-largest smartphone maker, Xiaomi entered the EV industry in 2021. The SU7, equipped with autonomous driving features, a digital cockpit, and a high-performance HyperEngine motor (up to 21,000 RPM), offers sports car-like capabilities. Recently, Xiaomi introduced the premium SU7 Ultra, priced at 529,900 yuan, with a sales goal of 10,000 units. Founder and CEO Lei Jun projected over 300,000 vehicle deliveries in 2025, with the upcoming YU7 SUV set to debut later this year.
What Ford CEO said about Xiaomi car
Speaking to the British presenter Robert Llewellyn on “The Fully Charged Podcast, Ford CEO said, “I don’t like talking about the competition so much, but I drive the Xiaomi.” “We flew one from Shanghai to Chicago, and I’ve been driving it for six months now, and I don’t want to give it up,” Farley added.
China in EV landscape globally
China dominates the global EV landscape, with sales of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles reaching 10.9 million units in 2024—a 40.7% increase year-over-year—representing roughly 60% of the world total, per the China Passenger Car Association. However, overcapacity remains a challenge, with Goldman Sachs reporting that only half of China’s EV production facilities are currently utilized due to rapid factory expansion. Chinese EVs face steep tariffs abroad, including 17–35.3% in the European Union and 100% in the US. Among China’s numerous EV makers, only BYD, Li Auto, and Aito are profitable, while dozens of others are said to be facing losses.
