Xiaomi is setting its sights on the global electric vehicle market, with plans to begin selling its cars outside of China starting in 2027. The announcement was made by Xiaomi President William Lu at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona.
Lu made the announcement at MWC, a consumer technology trade fair that has increasingly become a venue for car manufacturers to showcase new vehicles and connectivity features. Xiaomi’s presence at the event, along with the unveiling of the SU7 Ultra electric car, underscored the company’s ambitions in the EV sector.
Rumors of Xiaomi’s international expansion plans had circulated as early as December 2024. It was reported that the company had already begun assembling teams and conducting small-scale tests in preparation for a broader market entry.
Despite the strong demand for its vehicles in China – the company sold a year’s worth of SU7 Ultra production in just two hours – Lu indicated a cautious approach to international expansion. He mentioned that the company would begin “exploring” European car markets in March. Xiaomi currently offers the SU7 and is preparing to launch the YU7 electric SUV.
“Our main plan is to create a strong position in the Chinese market, as without it, it would be hard to expand overseas,” Lu stated in an interview. The domestic market remains the company’s primary focus.
Lu also provided insight into the company’s deliberate approach to expanding its EV operations. Initially, the company’s 2021 announcement to enter the EV market was met with skepticism from investors who felt Xiaomi was late to the game. “After each earnings conference, we communicated with investors, and everyone tended to think that Xiaomi was late and missed the best opportunity. And that the car business can drag down the mobile phone business if unsuccessful,” explained Lu. However, the successful market launch of the SU7 in March 2024 shifted investor sentiment.
