South Korean automaker Hyundai is closely monitoring the competition in the electric vehicle market, particularly keeping an eye on China’s emerging brands and their innovative technologies. The most concrete indication of this is that Hyundai was spotted testing Xiaomi’s highly popular electric sedan, the SU7.
The vehicle was seen near Hyundai’s global research and development (R&D) center in Namyang, carrying a Hwaseong test plate. This strongly suggests that Hyundai is closely analyzing China’s advanced EV technologies.
Xiaomi’s Rapid Success in the EV Market
After dominating the smartphone industry, Xiaomi has now made a strong entrance into the electric vehicle market. The company’s first model, the SU7, has quickly gained traction. In January, it surpassed Tesla’s Model 3 in sales, reaching over 22,000 units sold in China. In comparison, Tesla sold only around 8,000 Model 3 units in the same period.
Xiaomi aims to sell 350,000 SU7 units by the end of 2025. If achieved, this would mean surpassing the combined sales of legacy automakers such as Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. This highlights Xiaomi’s potential to become a major player not only in consumer electronics but also in the automotive industry.
What Makes the Xiaomi SU7 So Appealing?
The Xiaomi SU7 supports 800V fast-charging technology, similar to Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. This enables rapid battery charging, a key feature in the EV market.
The most powerful version of the SU7 is equipped with a 101 kWh battery, providing an impressive range of up to 810 km (503 miles) on a single charge.
In terms of pricing, Xiaomi has positioned the SU7 as a highly competitive option:
- The base model starts at approximately $30,000.
- The top-tier version reaches up to $73,000.
Demand for the vehicle has been overwhelming—over 10,000 orders were placed for the top model within just two hours of its launch.
Why Is Hyundai Testing the Xiaomi SU7?
Hyundai’s decision to test the Xiaomi SU7 suggests that the company is analyzing Chinese EV innovations to potentially integrate similar technologies into its own future models. This move indicates that Hyundai is carefully shaping its EV strategy to stay ahead in the industry.
In the coming days, Hyundai is expected to introduce its new electric sub-brand, "Pleos". This brand will focus on cutting-edge technologies and software for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models. Whether Hyundai will incorporate any of the innovations seen in Chinese EVs remains a topic of speculation.
This development highlights how traditional automakers are now paying close attention to China’s rapidly advancing EV sector. Xiaomi’s success with the SU7 could reshape the global automotive landscape, proving that the future of electric mobility is evolving at an unprecedented pace.