Xiaomi SU7 Hits 100,000 Units: Lei Jun Steals The Spotlight

Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s charismatic founder and CEO, knows how to grab attention. To celebrate a major milestone—100,000 SU7 electric vehicles produced—he posted a photo of himself napping on the factory floor. It was a playful, unmistakable nod to Elon Musk’s infamous factory sleepovers during Tesla’s rise, though Lei put his own twist on the story.

“Netizens told me to head to the factory and tighten some screws,” he quipped in his post. “I actually go there often. I came early this morning, took a nap in the workshop, and when I woke up, 100,000 units were done!”

Since its debut in December 2023, the SU7, Xiaomi's flagship EV, has garnered attention, with production commencing in April 2024. Its design is a masterclass in inspiration, borrowing a touch of other famous cars like Porsche Taycan and even McLaren. Yet, the Xiaomi SU7 is far more than a mashup of influences; it’s a tech-savvy, performance-driven EV.

Starting at just ¥215,900 ($30,000), it’s a game-changer. For those wanting a little extra oomph, the top-tier SU7 Ultra, loaded with performance upgrades, starts at ¥814,900 ($112,500). Of course, Xiaomi, like many newcomers, loses money on every SU7 sold. But analysts are optimistic.

They estimate Xiaomi will hit the break-even point once annual sales climb to around 300,000 or 400,000 units. If October’s numbers—20,000 SU7s sold in a single month—are any indication, that goal might not be far off. Xiaomi isn’t just playing the EV game; it’s rewriting the rules. The company boasts about its heavy investment in core technologies, claiming to have spent ten times the industry standard on building a strong foundation for its vehicles.