Xiaomi recently announced that the SU7, its first electric car, would arrive in Europe in 2027. In this way, the European public will be able to make first -hand crows one of the electric cars that have caused the most sensation in recent years. In addition, silently, the now also vehicle manufacturer has inaugurated its first research and development center outside China. The installation, located in Munich, marks the starting point of the arrival of the Chinese manufacturer to the European market for electric vehicles.
The first step. The opening of this center is much more than a simple technical office. Xiaomi, a company known for its mobile phones and other technological gadgets, launched its first car in 2023, and this new expansion is accelerating its transformation into a car manufacturer made and right. Its president, William Lu, already made it clear in August that the company aspires to become one of the five largest automobile in the world, and Europe is key in that plan.
What will the center of Munich do. German facilities will focus on adapting Xiaomi vehicles to the demands of the European market: from the development of technology for electric vehicles and intelligent driving to compliance with strict safety regulations. The teams of engineers, designers and European researchers will collaborate directly with the centers in China to prepare specific models for international markets.
The models that will arrive. Although Xiaomi has not officially confirmed which vehicles will bring to Europe, everything points to SU7, a high performance sedan that would compete with the Porsche Taycan, and to Yu7, a SUV that would be measured with the Tesla Model Y. The SU7 Ultra has already demonstrated its potential when establishing the faster return record for a electric production car in the Nürburgring circuit, a time of 7 minutes and a time of 7 minutes. seconds (6 minutes and 22 seconds its prototype version).
A success in China. The growth of Xiaomi in the automobile sector has been meteoric. Its SU7 reached 200,000 units delivered in China in just 119 days, a stellar figure for a brand that opens for the first time in the automobile world. Now, the brand seeks to replicate that success beyond its borders, taking advantage of its experience in technology and software.
It is not the only China in Munich. The Bavarian city has become the favorite destination of Chinese manufacturers to establish their design and research centers in Europe. Nio opened his design headquarters in 2015, while Avat and Li Auto have also chosen Munich for their European facilities. The proximity to the German car industry and access to specialized talent are usually the main reasons for this election.
Cover image | Xiaomi
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