Summary
This week in Paris, the tech giant Xiaomi unveiled its ambitious venture into the automotive world with the stunning SU7, its very first all-electric sedan, showcased in a gallery that artfully resembles a sleek modern apartment. Picture a vibrant turquoise vehicle artfully nestled among flat-screen televisions, buzzing smartphones, and even a state-of-the-art treadmill, all contributing to a vision of contemporary living. While visitors can immerse themselves in this display until July 30 in the trendy 3rd arrondissement, the question looms: when will Europe actually embrace the SU7? Currently, the vehicle is captivating drivers in China but remains an enigma for the international market. “We are selling the SU7 in China, but there are no official timelines or announcements regarding its launch in Europe, or specifically, France,” stated Guillaume Berlemont, Xiaomi France’s marketing director, in an interview with BFM Business. He hinted, however, that thorough assessments are underway, albeit indicating that this journey could be slow-paced. Berlemont elaborated, “We need to absorb lessons from the Chinese market, fulfil all existing orders for this year, bolster our factory’s capacity, and be fully prepared. Launching a car is no small feat; it requires expertise and a solid network.” With years ahead of them, Xiaomi plans to bring the SU7 and possibly other future models to France. In a tantalizing twist, recent sources suggest that instead of the SU7, Xiaomi might set its sights on introducing a different model to the European market sooner rather than later, revealing an intriguing strategy behind the scenes. The company’s founder, Lei Jun, harbors lofty ambitions, aiming to earn a spot among the top five global automakers within the next 15 to 20 years. Such aspirations have sparked a remarkable buzz around the SU7, fueled by the sedan’s booming popularity back home. At April’s Beijing Auto Show, Lei Jun received a rock-star welcome, mingling with industry leaders as Xiaomi proudly reported over 75,000 pre-orders for the SU7 by that time. Fast forward to June, and the company hit a production milestone with nearly 10,000 cars rolling off the line, as Xiaomi endeavors to ramp up daily manufacturing capacity, ensuring they can meet the demand firmly. The SU7 is competitively priced, undercutting its main rival, the Tesla Model 3, allowing Xiaomi to stockpile orders—albeit not necessarily securing profitability yet. Their ambitious goal is to deliver 100,000 vehicles this year, a monumental target considering they’ve only recently entered the electric vehicle arena just three years ago, a pivot driven by declining electronics sales and looming sanctions on U.S. soil. Prospective buyers can choose between two SU7 models: a standard version boasting a robust 73.6 kWh battery targeting over 650 kilometers of driving range, and a more powerful Max version with a stellar 101 kWh battery that promises up to 800 kilometers. Each version is powered by one of Xiaomi’s in-house developed motors, the HyperEngine V6 or V8, with the latter promising a breathtaking acceleration of 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 2.78 seconds. With the SU7’s Paris exhibition sparking excitement, the wait continues for its official European debut, leaving car enthusiasts buzzing with anticipation. The vibrant showcase at the Joseph Gallery, located at 7 rue Bailly, will remain open until the end of July, inviting all to step into Xiaomi’s electrifying future—but when the actual launch will follow remains to be seen.
Original Source: www.bfmtv.com
