Xiaomi’s Electric Car SU7 Unveiled in India
NEW DELHI: Is Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi eyeing India for electric cars, following the tracks of compatriots BYD and MG Motor (unit of SAIC)? The company – which is betting $10 billion for a foray into autos globally – has quietly brought its newly-unveiled electric car SU7 to India. It will be displayed in Bengaluru to partners, employees, and the general public.
While some speculate that this move could be Xiaomi testing the waters in the Indian car market, others believe it may be too early for the company to target India as one of the initial markets for the vehicle. The SU7 began deliveries in China in March.
Despite the display in Bangalore, Xiaomi has stated that there are currently no plans to launch the car immediately. However, the company is continuing to evaluate market opportunities. A spokesperson mentioned, “While we continuously monitor market opportunities, our focus remains on our core product lines for India.”
The SU7, a pet project of Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, has been well-received in China. Priced under $30,000 (around Rs 25 lakh) for the base model, it is nearly $4,000 (Rs 3.3 lakh) cheaper than Tesla’s Model 3 base model in China. The SU7 offers two versions with driving ranges of up to 668 km and 800 km on a single charge respectively.
The imported display car will be part of Xiaomi’s celebrations in Bangalore as the company marks a decade of business in India. The goal is to exhibit Xiaomi’s brand strength and diversified product portfolio beyond smartphones. The event will also feature household appliances and potentially an announcement on entering new product categories.
