In a milestone achievement for Xiaomi's automotive division, the company's 100,000th SU7 electric vehicle rolled off the production line on November 13. CEO Jun Lei commemorated the occasion by sharing a photo of himself resting on the factory floor, celebrating the achievement with Xiaomi's community.
Manufacturing efficiency Lei, who frequently visits the factory, noted that he "woke up to find that 100,000 units had been completed." The SU7 reached this production milestone within just 230 days of its launch. By comparison, according to the South China Morning Post, this achievement significantly outpaces competitors - Li Auto took approximately 1.9 years, while Nio and XPeng required around 2.8 years to reach similar production levels.
Product development and expansion Launched on March 28, 2024, the SU7 has maintained a strong market presence, partly due to Lei's active social media engagement, which includes showcasing the vehicle's drifting and performance capabilities. The model has gained international recognition, with Ford CEO Jim Farley publicly expressing admiration for the vehicle.
Performance innovations
Adding to its product lineup, Xiaomi has introduced the SU7 Ultra, designed to excel in both racing and street performance. Following recent testing at Germany's Nürburgring track, the Ultra model is scheduled to make its debut at the upcoming Auto Guangzhou.
Production targets and service network
The company remains on track with its production goals. In August, Xiaomi projected to deliver 100,000 SU7 units by November's end and 120,000 by December. With monthly deliveries exceeding 20,000 units in October, these targets appear achievable. To support this growth, Xiaomi operates 86 service centers across mainland China and plans to expand to 119 by year-end.
Financial outlook
Lei has acknowledged that the automotive division remains in a "high-investment phase" and currently operates at a loss. However, President Weibing Lu expects these losses to gradually decrease as production and deliveries scale up.
Market context
Despite strong overall market growth, competition in China's electric vehicle (EV) sector remains intense. The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reports that retail sales of new energy vehicles reached 1.196 million units in October, increasing 56.7% compared to the same period last year. BYD leads the market with 430,000 units, followed by Li Auto at 51,000, Tesla at 40,000, and XPeng at 23,000.
Government support
China's vehicle trade-in program continues to boost new energy vehicle (NEV) adoption. According to the Ministry of Commerce, over 1.7 million applications for vehicle scrappage and replacement have been processed as of November 6.
Lei's experience of waking up to find the 100,000th SU7 unit completed underscores Xiaomi's commitment to advanced manufacturing technologies.
The factory operates as a "lights-out" or unmanned facility, leveraging automation to maintain continuous, precise production around the clock. Implementing such a system involves significant initial investment in sophisticated equipment capable of executing complex processes without human intervention.
While the upfront costs are substantial, the long-term benefits include increased production capacity, consistent product quality, and reduced labor expenses, positioning Xiaomi at the forefront of smart manufacturing in the automotive industry.
