Chinese Manufacturers Xiaomi Brings Electric Cars to Germany

Xiaomi plans to begin selling its electric cars in Germany starting in 2027. The sales network will be provided by established dealers.

The Chinese electronics company Xiaomi will begin selling its electric cars in Germany and other European countries starting in 2027. To establish its sales and customer service operations, the company signed letters of intent with eight leading German automotive retail groups at the IFA technology trade show in Berlin.

Partners include established automotive retailers such as Emil Frey Germany, the Ernst Dello Group, Autohaus Dinnebier, Hahn Automobile, the Lueg Mobility Group, Fett & Wirtz, SPT Avior, and Penske-Jacobs. These partnerships are intended to lay the foundation for a nationwide network of repair shops and dealerships.

Long-Term Commitment to Europe

“Xiaomi Auto is committed to long-term investment in Europe,” said Yu Liguo, Vice President of Xiaomi Auto and Head of International Business. In addition to the existing research and development center in Munich, local retail partners are key to a successful market entry. In China, according to the company, Xiaomi has already delivered more than 700,000 vehicles since the launch of its SU7 electric sedan in the spring of 2024. 

Until very recently, the company had refrained from launching its products in Europe because its production capacity was fully utilized by domestic demand alone. Recently, however, observers have noted that Xiaomi has become active in Germany to demonstrate the performance of its cars. 

On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the manufacturer set several fastest lap times: The production model SU7 Ultra holds the lap record there for luxury electric cars, while the YU7 GT SUV recently completed the circuit fully autonomously without a driver.

Successful Car Debut

In China, the world’s largest auto market, Xiaomi has achieved in record time what many tech companies have failed to do: successfully transform itself into a major automaker. Since the debut of the SU7 sports sedan in the spring of 2024, the company has risen to the top ranks of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers in just over two years. Unlike competitors who seek market share through low-cost electric vehicles, Xiaomi is positioning itself in the higher-margin premium and technology segments.

 The SU7 series became the best-selling sedan in China in the 200,000-yuan-and-up price range, about 24,000 euros ($27,840), while the newly launched YU7 SUV model received more than 240,000 binding orders within just 18 hours. The automotive division has thus become the group’s fastest-growing segment alongside the smartphone business.

Third-Largest Smartphone Manufacturer in the World

Xiaomi is the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world—behind Apple and Samsung. Its entry into the automotive market is part of the company’s “Human × Car × Home” strategy, through which Xiaomi aims to connect vehicles, smartphones, and smart home electronics via its proprietary operating system and AI applications.

In addition, the company announced at IFA that it would expand the availability of its Mijia home appliance brand and its own “XRING” series of semiconductors across Europe in the future.