China’s Xiaomi has made a bold move by announcing the start of deliveries for its first electric vehicle model, the SU7. This decision comes at a time when the electric vehicle market in China is experiencing a brutal price war. Xiaomi, known for being the country’s fifth-largest smartphone maker, revealed that it has 59 stores across 29 cities where customers can place orders for the new EV.
Competition and Market Trends
The Chinese electric vehicle market has seen an 18% increase in sales during January-February, a figure not far behind the 21% growth recorded for the entire year of 2023. However, intensified price competition, spearheaded by market leader BYD, has been rampant as companies strive to attract consumers amidst weakening domestic demand.
Xiaomi’s unveiling of the Speed Ultra 7 (SU7) sedan in December revealed impressive features, with Chief Executive Lei Jun boasting about the car’s “super electric motor” technology. This technology is said to enable acceleration speeds faster than those of well-known electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla and Porsche. Analysts believe that the integration of the car’s operating system with Xiaomi’s popular phones and electronic devices will be appealing to the company’s existing customer base.
Recognizing the slowdown in smartphone demand, Xiaomi has been strategically diversifying its business to include electric vehicles. This move was first announced in 2021 as part of the company’s long-term plan. Xiaomi’s EVs will be manufactured by a unit of the state-owned automaker BAIC Group in a Beijing factory with an annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles. The company has committed to investing $10 billion in the automotive sector over the next decade.
Regulatory Approval and Market Positioning
Xiaomi has managed to secure approval from Chinese authorities to enter the electric vehicle market, a sector that has been facing challenges due to oversupply. With plans to become one of the world’s top five automakers, Xiaomi is strategically positioning itself in the competitive market by offering innovative features and leveraging its existing customer base.
Xiaomi’s foray into the electric vehicle market with the SU7 model signals the company’s ambition to diversify its business and compete with established players in the industry. With the promise of cutting-edge technology and integration with its popular electronic devices, Xiaomi is poised to make a significant impact in the evolving automotive sector.
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