A TECH giant has announced plans to launch its cars in Europe, just two years after debuting its first models.
Chinese electronics brand Xiaomi, best known for its range of smartphones, has expanded into the electric vehicle market.
Tech giant Xiaomi is shifting gears as it prepares to enter the European car market in 2027 – after achieving phenomenal success in China’s EV sector[/caption]
From smartphones to supercars, Xiaomi is known for its gadgets but is now making waves in the world of EVs[/caption]
A gimmick, you may think? On the contrary, Xiaomi has experienced sensational success in the Chinese EV market, with over 300,000 deliveries across its models – the Xiaomi SU7, SU7 Ultra and YU7 SUV – all launched last year.
Now, it’s preparing to make its mark on the European market by opening its first research and development centre outside China, located in Munich, Germany.
This facility, named the ‘EV Europe Research and Development and Design Centre,’ is seen as a pivotal milestone in Xiaomi’s global strategy.
At the facility, they will focus on performance vehicle projects, EV tech development, design innovation, customer orientation, and cutting-edge research.
The site has started with 50 employees, with additional roles advertised for positions such as country managers, retail heads, logistics specialists, and after-sales experts.
The Munich centre is essential for adapting Xiaomi’s motors to European standards – ensuring the company is well-prepared for its planned launch into the European car market.
They’ve even tempted some high-profile recruits to join their ranks, such as Rudolf Dittrich, a former BMW Motorrad manager, and Kai Langer, former head of design at BMW.
DRIVING DEMAND
Xiaomi’s EV success story can be measured in several ways, starting with the impressive performance of their entry-level Xiaomi SU7 – first seen in 2023.
Positioned as a rival to the Tesla Model 3, the SU7 shipped 100,000 units in just 229 days and another 100,000 in only 119 days.
However, the SU7 Ultra is where Xiaomi truly stands out, as the high-performance EV boasts an 1138kW three-motor powertrain and currently holds the Nürburgring production EV lap record, having beaten the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT in June 2025.
What’s even more intriguing is Ferrari’s apparent interest in Xiaomi’s engineering expertise, as a yellow Xiaomi SU7 Ultra was recently spotted at their famed Maranello headquarters.
While Ferrari’s first all-electric model remains one of the industry’s best-kept secrets and is reportedly being developed entirely in-house, the presence of Xiaomi’s flagship EV has sparked speculation.
Ferrari may be using the SU7 Ultra as a performance benchmark or exploring its engineering as a cost-saving solution for their EV programme.
Either way, this is a significant nod to Xiaomi’s competence and arguably the ultimate compliment to the Chinese tech giant.
Lastly, there’s the YU7, launched this summer, which is – surprise, surprise – an electric SUV that’s eyeing a slice of the Tesla Model Y’s pie.
According to Reuters, the YU7 – which is the spitting image of the Ferrari Purosangue – has created quite a stir in the brand’s homeland, with Xiaomi announcing it received 200,000 orders in just three minutes and 289,000 in one hour.
Of course, those orders will be a mix of refundable reservations and locked-in orders, but it’s certainly impressive.
Having become the brand of the moment in China, Xiaomi will now join a long list of Chinese brands looking to enter the European market.
And they’re not the first to see Munich as a springboard either, with Xpeng, Li Auto and Nio all establishing R&D centres in the German city – transforming it into a sort of hub for automotive innovation in Europe.
For now, they’re preparing for its entry into the European market in 2027 – although UK-specific plans have yet to be disclosed.
Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra recently broke the Nurburgring EV lap record – dethroning Porsche’s Taycan Turbo GT in the process[/caption]
The YU7 SUV, a striking resemblance to Ferrari’s Purosangue, is causing a stir with record-breaking orders in China[/caption]
The YU7 SUV smashed expectations, racking up 200,000 orders in just three minutes and 289,000 within an hour of its launch[/caption]
The brand’s stylish models are taking on Tesla with its range of vehicles[/caption]
