Xiaomi seems to have a hit on its hands with the all-electric SU7 sedan and has raised its sales forecast for the model for the third time this year. While many other car manufacturers, particularly EV startups, have cut sales expectations due in part to economic and inflationary issues, the Chinese technology giant continues to report strong sales.

According to chief executive Lei Jun, Xiaomi expects to end 2024 having delivered 130,000 EVs. This is an increase over the previous target of 120,000 units and is a huge leap from the goal it set at the start of the year to deliver 76,000 SU7s to customers.

Read: Xiaomi SU7 Ultra On Sale From $114K, Watch Prototype Lap The ‘Ring In 6:46

Sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids have surged throughout China this year and now account for more than half of all new car sales. Xiaomi doubled production shifts of the SU7 in June and according to the brand’s co-founder, its factory has the capacity to build 20,000 cars each month.

“Our investment is still very substantial and we continue to improve our hardware and software,” Jun said. “And basically it doesn’t matter what the ultimate delivery level is, we are still investing very heavily. We are working on R&D (research and development) for new models.”

The SU7 has won fans thanks to its attractive styling, impressive performance, abundance of technology, and competitive pricing that makes it cheaper than a Tesla Model 3. Speaking with Reuters, Huatai Securities said it expects Xiaomi to deliver 400,000 EVs in 2025 and believes these vehicles could account for a fifth of total company revenue.

However, Xiaomi’s automotive arm still has a long way to go before reaching profitability. In the third quarter, it reported an adjusted loss of 1.5 billion yuan, or $207 million at current exchange rates. This was a slight decrease from the $252 million loss it posted in the second quarter when it delivered 37,307 vehicles and lost $9,200 on every new car sold.

The recent launch of the Ultra will no doubt help to boost the popularity of the SU7 further. This flagship variant of the sleek sedan has three electric motors delivering 1,526 hp and can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 1.98 seconds and 124 mph (200 km/h) in 5.86 seconds.

The Xiaomi SU7 Max is a proper EV sports sedan on paper. It makes  663 hp (673 PS / 495 kW). It can allegedly go from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in just 2.8 seconds and drive up to 497 miles on a single charge. That’s a lot of speed but, evidently, the SU7 doesn’t have the brakes to reel it in on track.

In April, a Chinese influencer lapping the Shanghai Tianma circuit had a crash in the car. Video from the incident shows the driver start approaching a left-hand turn when things quickly go bad. 

Read: Xiaomi SU7 Ultra On Sale From $114K, Watch Prototype Lap The ‘Ring In 6:46

Despite several attempts to get the car to turn it, it barely changes its direction and then barrels through the end of the track. At that point, it smashes into the barrier and the airbags go off. The video by Tang Zhu Liao Che (堂主撩車) has already racked up millions of views. Tang Zhu showed the brakes of the car, which had done five hot laps prior to the crash, and the relatively small pads were severely worn.

Then, in June, another influencer in an SU7 experienced a similar brake failure while driving at a track. In this situation, the driver seesawed at the wheel before the crash. When the car struck the wall it had turned almost all the way around. The airbags didn’t go off and the driver’s seat broke apart like it was made of cardboard.

Xiaomi issued the following statement, explaining that the SU7 Max is not meant for track use:

“We strongly remind you that Xiaomi SU7 Max is a high-performance luxury car for road use. Please do not try extreme driving such as on professional racing circuits. The braking system of Xiaomi SU7 Max uses NAO friction pads, which are suitable for daily driving. They are mainstream products that balance braking noise and braking performance and meet the needs of public road driving.

“Due to the high speed, large kinetic energy accumulation, sharp braking, and rapid wear of components under continuous high load and high temperature under track conditions, all core components of the vehicle are required to meet requirements far beyond those of daily conditions.”

NAO stands for non-asbestos organic. That material can work fine in daily driving. On a race track though, it’s proving problematic. Xiaomi itself has fitted the much more powerful SU7 Ultra, which broke the EV record at the Nurburgring last month with a 6:46.847 lap time, with carbon ceramic discs measuring 430 mm at the front and 410 mm at the rear. According to the company, they can withstand temperatures up to 2,372 F (1,300 degrees Celsius) and are much more resistant to fade during track use.

No doubt, having to slow down a car with this kind of power and one that weighs 4,365–4,861 lb (1,980–2,205 kg) isn’t easy. The Autopian points out that the Brembo brakes on the SU7 Max actually have pads that are smaller than those found on a Honda CR-V – a family SUV with roughly one-third of the power of the Chinese performance sedan.

Notably, during everyday driving, the regenerative braking power supplements the mechanical brakes. They’ll help out on track too, but they have limits as well. It’s why cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT both have gigantic brakes when compared to the regular versions of those cars. Perhaps it’s time for Xiaomi to follow the lead of far more experienced automakers. 

Image Credit: China Observer

Lei Jun, founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, took a page straight out of Elon Musk’s playbook—quite literally—then added his own twist. To commemorate the production milestone of 100,000 SU7 electric vehicles, Lei posted a photo of himself snoozing on the factory floor, a nod to Musk’s famed claims of doing the same during Tesla’s early years, though without explicitly naming his American counterpart.

The Xiaomi boss shared the photo on social media with the following caption: “Netizens urged me to go to the factory to tighten the screws. Actually, I go there often. I arrived early this morning. I came too early and took a nap in the workshop. Unexpectedly, when I woke up, 100,000 units had been completed!”

More: Ford’s CEO Is Daily Driving A Xiaomi SU7 EV And Loving It

He followed up by noting, “From the release of SU7 to today, it took us only 230 days to produce 100,000 units! As a newcomer in the automotive industry, this speed is already very remarkable. We will hold a ceremony for the 100,000th unit to come off the production line later.”

This cheeky gesture, of course, references Musk’s well-documented habit of treating Tesla’s factories like glorified crash pads during the Model 3 “production hell.” Musk has openly acknowledged using the California and Nevada facilities as his “primary residences” for three years, a period marked by severe production challenges.

Good morning! Woke up to the news that 100,000 units of Xiaomi SU7 achieved!⚡️

From the launch to today, it took us only 230 days to hit this milestone. For a newcomer in the EV industry, that’s a speed we’re truly proud of. Can’t wait to celebrate the 100,000th in a bit! pic.twitter.com/92gmML2mdH

— Lei Jun (@leijun) November 13, 2024

Congratulations to our Xiaomi EV team! The 100,000th Xiaomi SU7 has officially rolled off the production line. For our first model, reaching this milestone in just 230 days is an incredible achievement! pic.twitter.com/rU6HtMQNSA

— Lei Jun (@leijun) November 13, 2024

Back to Xiaomi, the SU7 was introduced in December 2023, but production started in April 2024. With a profile that echoes the Porsche Taycan, a McLaren-esque nose, and Lincoln-inspired taillights, it’s clear the design team had more than a few influences in mind.

Despite boasting impressive specs and cutting-edge technology, the SU7 is priced to undercut the Tesla Model 3 in China, starting at ¥215,900 ($30,000). The top-tier model, the performance-focused Xiaomu SU7 Ultra, is priced at ¥814,900 ($112,500) and recently clocked a 6:46.874 lap time at the Nürburgring. Although the run didn’t qualify as an official record, as the car was a prototype rather than a final production model, it’s still an impressive feat. Not bad for a brand better known for smartphones than sports cars.

However, while the 100,000-unit milestone is a notable achievement, Xiaomi is still losing money on each EV it produces—no surprise, considering that’s the reality for most newcomers in the EV space. Analysts suggest the company will likely hit the break-even point once annual sales reach between 300,000 and 400,000 units. Ji Guo Wei, the director of Xiaomi’s EV factory, revealed that the company delivered a solid 20,000 SU7s in October alone.

“The reason I slept on the floor was not because I couldn't go across the road and be at a hotel.
It was because I wanted my circumstances to be worse than anyone else at the company. Whenever they felt pain, I wanted mine to be worse.”
– @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/wZcGvJqzk1

— Tonya de Vitti (@TonyadeVitti) February 26, 2024

The CEO of Xiaomi has announced a follow-up video titled “Xiaomi Intelligent Chassis Pre-research Technology”, highlighting the company’s advancements in electric vehicle (EV) technology. Since the launch of Xiaomi Motors, the company claims to have taken a foundational approach, investing ten times more than the industry standard to develop core technologies and produce quality vehicles.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra set a new record for a four-door EV at the Nürburgring. This is incorrect. While it is technically the fastest, the lap was achieved using a prototype model, not a production car.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi has shattered the Nurburgring record for a four-door car with the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype and, at an event in Beijing, has also unveiled the production version of the flagship SU7. If you needed any more proof of how serious the consumer electronics giant is at tackling the fastest EVs on the planet, this is it.

First, the ‘Ring run. Xiaomi chief executive Lei Jun hinted at the achievement on social media, revealing the EV had lapped the circuit in just 6:46.874. It’s since been confirmed that with British driver David Pittard behind the wheel – who won the 2023 24 Hours of the Nurburgring – the SU7 Ultra Prototype did indeed lay down the gauntlet with that impressive time. This makes the car more than 20 seconds quicker than the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.

Read: Ford’s CEO Is Daily Driving A Xiaomi SU7 EV And Loving It

Making the time all the more impressive is that it was achieved on a single attempt. Additionally, the car lost power for roughly 10 seconds, a moment which can be seen at around 4:15 in the video. Had that not happened, it would have been even quicker.

2025 Xiaomi SU7 Ultra

At a presentation to confirm the car’s Nurburgring feat, Xiaomi also lifted the veil on the production model. It’s unclear why the road-going model wasn’t the car that tackled Green Hell, but it promises much of the same performance credentials as the prototype, although it’s not quite as extreme.

Like the prototype, the SU7 Ultra features a trio of electric motors delivering 1,526 hp. This system consists of two of Xiaomi’s flagship V8s motors and one V6s motor. It gives the car a significant power advantage over the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire. Xiaomi says it can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 1.98 seconds without a one-foot rollout, rocket to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 5.86 seconds, and power through until 217 mph (350 km/h).

Nürburgring Lap Times: Fastest Cars And Lap Records

Providing these motors with their juice is a CATL Qilin 2.0 battery and despite the extreme focus on performance, the car is said to have 391 miles (630 km) of range on the generous CLTC cycle. Xiaomi has extensively upgraded the cooling systems of the SU7 to make it home on a race track, improving the performance of the compressor, water pump, cooling fan, and radiator. It can reportedly complete two consecutive laps of the Nurburgring without overheating.

Brakes, suspension, aero

Any four-door sedan with over 1,500 hp needs some serious brakes, and the SU7 Ultra ticks that box, too. It comes standard with carbon ceramic discs at all four corners and can stop from 62 mph in just 101 feet (30.8 m). The front discs are a massive 16.9 inches (430 mm) and are the largest carbon discs of any current production sedan. Akebono has supplied the brake calipers, consisting of six-piston units at the front and four-piston units at the rear.

The upgrades don’t stop there. Xiaomi has fitted new dual-chamber air springs and dampers, or should customers prefer, the SU7 Ultra can be equipped with Bilstein Evo T1 coilovers offering 10 levels of compression and rebound adjustment. Complex torque vectoring is also standard and can adjust power from the motors at up to 500 times per second.

Visually, you’ll notice the production-ready SU7 Ultra is not as extreme as the prototype. It lacks that car’s motorsport-spec rear wing and has a smaller spoiler. The front end is also more restrained but does stand out from lesser versions of the electric sedan thanks to a new splitter and enlarged air intakes. Other upgrades include an active rear diffuser that adjusts while driving and new skirts. The car delivers up to 285 kg (628 lbs) of downforce.

Several interior enhancements complete the package. These include a newly-designed steering wheel with a flat top and flat bottom, a 12 o-clock marker, and is wrapped in Alcantara with carbon fiber accents. The wheel also includes a bright red Boost button. Elsewhere, shoppers will find new Alcantara parts adorning the cabin, and the UI of the instrument cluster, head-up display, and infotainment display have also been customized for a sportier look. An app dubbed Racetrack Master has also been added and allows drivers to record their lap sessions and view key performance parameters on the move.

The first customer deliveries are scheduled for March 2025. Prices start at 814,900 yuan (~$114,000), and in the first 10 minutes after the car’s release, Xiaomi had received 3,680 refundable deposits.

If you weren’t already taking Chinese automakers seriously, today is a good day to start. If comments made by Xiaomi’s boss are true, the smartphone maker’s new electric sedan has just annihilated the Porsche Taycan’s Nurburgring lap record.

Not broken, not smashed. Annihilated. CEO Lei Jun told his Weibo followers the hardcore 1,527 hp (1,548 PS) SU7 Ultra lapped the Nordschleife in 6:46.874, according to Reuters. If true, that would make it more than 20 seconds faster than a Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach Pack that includes a rear-seat-delete. One of those lapped the Ring in 7:07.55 last year to become the fastest four-door car.

Related: Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Is A Taycan-Rivaling Hyper Sedan With 1,527 HP And Insane Aero

Even Rimac’s quad-motor Nevera hypercar, the fastest production EV at the track, could only manage 7:05.20. And although Rimac now has a more extreme version with improved aero that should take a good chunk out of that time, it’s going to look lame if it can’t topple the SU7.

Other famous track-ready two-door cars the Ultra beats include the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (6:49.33), 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (6:48.05) and Pagani Zonda R (6:47.50).

Xiaomi is expected to reveal the Ultra in full later today when we’ll get confirmation of the Ring time and more details about the car’s powertrain, chassis, and aero features. The automaker revealed a concept version of the Ultra in July that generated up to 2,145 kg (4,729 lbs) of downforce and weighed just 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs), making it roughly 465 kg (1,025 lbs) lighter than a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.

A triple-motor setup fired the concept to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 1.97 seconds, to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 5.97 seconds, and past the 186 mph (300 km/h) mark in 15 seconds. How much of that concept package is present on the production car we should know before the day is out.

Source: Reuters

Automaker CEOs usually prefer to sing the praises of their own products rather than wax lyrical about rival brands, but Ford’s boss couldn’t help himself. He told an interviewer that he’s been dailying a Chinese electric sedan for the past six months and loves it so much he’s dreading the day he has to hand the keys back.

Speaking to Robert Llewellyn, host of the Fully Charged podcast, Jim Farley admitted that his regular ride is an SU7 electric sedan, the first car from smartphone company Xiaomi.

Related: Ford Boss Shaken After Secret Chinese EV Test Drive

“I don’t like talking about the competition so much, but I drive the Xiaomi,” Farley confessed to Llewellyn, explaining that although the EV isn’t on sale outside of China, Ford had shipped one to the US for evaluation.

“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,” said the man tasked with making Ford competitive with increasingly capable Chinese car brands.

“It’s fantastic,” Farley enthused. “They sell 10,000, 20,000 a month. They’re sold out for six months.”

Less fanastic for Xiaomi execs is the fact that the firm took a $9,200 bath on every car sold in the first six months of the year. Ford’s CEO didn’t detail which version of the SU7 he drove, but the entry-level, rear-wheel drive model has 295 hp (200 PS / 220 kW) and a 73.6 kWh battery giving a range of 435 miles (700 kW).

The mid-spec SU7 Pro gets a bigger battery that boosts the range to 516 miles (830 km) and the bi-motor, all-wheel drive SU7 Max comes with 663 hp (673 PS / 495 kW), can reach 62 mph (100 kmh) from rest in 2.8 seconds and covers 497 miles (800 km) on a single charge.

The SU7 isn’t the first Chinese car that has impressed Ford’s boss. According to a Wall Street Journal story Farley and CFO John Lawler were blown away when they tried a Changan EV in early 2003.

“These guys are ahead of us,” a shocked Lawler told Farley, who has described the Chinese auto industry as an “existential threat” to Ford.