When Xiaomi, a name synonymous with smartphones and consumer electronics, announced its foray into the electric vehicle (EV) sector, few could have predicted the rapid rise that would follow. Yet, in just over a year, the Beijing-based tech giant has taken the automotive world by storm, setting records and challenging established Western brands on their own turf. Now, with plans to launch its electric vehicles across Europe by 2027, Xiaomi is poised to reshape the continent’s EV landscape, echoing the broader surge of Chinese automakers making inroads into the region.
The journey began in earnest in 2024, when Xiaomi released its first electric car, the SU7 sedan. According to reports from CnEVPost and other outlets, the SU7 quickly became a sensation in China, propelling Xiaomi into the ranks of the country’s most popular car brands almost overnight. The company’s momentum only intensified with the recent unveiling of the YU7 electric SUV, which shattered expectations by racking up more than 200,000 pre-orders within the first three minutes of its launch. Within an hour, that figure had soared to 289,000 orders. As noted by multiple sources, the frenzy surrounding the YU7’s debut sent Xiaomi’s shares to an all-time high, signaling the market’s confidence in the brand’s automotive ambitions.
The impressive demand, however, has brought its own set of challenges. Xiaomi is currently grappling with severe production shortages, leading to significant delivery delays for its customers. Those eager to get behind the wheel of the SU7 sedan may face wait times of up to 41 weeks, while the hundreds of thousands who pre-ordered the YU7 could be looking at a staggering 58-week delay before their vehicles arrive. Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s founder, chairman, and CEO, has been candid about these hurdles, emphasizing the company’s commitment to fulfilling domestic orders before expanding its reach abroad. “The brand wants to focus on domestic deliveries before entering another market,” Lei Jun stated, underscoring the company’s strategy in the face of overwhelming demand.
Despite these growing pains, Xiaomi’s automotive division has posted remarkable growth. In the second quarter of 2025 alone, the company delivered a record 81,302 vehicles, marking a 197% year-on-year increase. Such figures are particularly striking given that Xiaomi only entered the EV market the previous year. The achievement not only cements Xiaomi’s status as a major player in China’s automotive sector but also sets the stage for its forthcoming expansion into Europe.
That expansion is not just a distant dream. During a recent earnings call, Xiaomi president William Lu (also known as Lu Weibing) confirmed that the company’s EVs will begin rolling out across Europe by 2027. Xiaomi has already begun laying the groundwork for this move, testing its vehicles on European roads, including a notable appearance of the SU7 Ultra in Munich, Germany. Lu shared an image of the car—complete with a German number plate registered in Munich—on social media, dubbing it “the first experimental car in Europe.”
The SU7 Ultra hasn’t just been paraded for show; it has demonstrated performance prowess on some of Europe’s most iconic tracks. According to test results cited by CnEVPost, the SU7 Ultra was put through its paces on the legendary Nürburgring circuit, where it recorded a lap time of 7 minutes and 4.95 seconds. This feat didn’t just turn heads—it broke the previous record set by the Rimac Nevera and even outpaced the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT by 2.5 seconds. For a brand so new to the automotive scene, these achievements have sent a clear message: Xiaomi is not content to simply participate in the EV race—it intends to lead.
Xiaomi’s imminent arrival in Europe comes at a time when Chinese automotive brands are already making significant strides in the region. As reported by various sources, British drivers are increasingly turning to manufacturers like BYD, Jaecoo, and Omoda. BYD, in particular, has made a considerable impact, selling 22,574 new cars in the UK so far in 2025 and capturing almost 2% of the country’s total market share. This represents a staggering 514% increase in sales compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Jaecoo and Omoda—both newcomers to the UK market—have recorded 10,314 and 8,815 new sales, respectively, all within less than a year of launching.
The success of these Chinese brands highlights a broader trend: European consumers are increasingly receptive to alternatives beyond the traditional Western automakers. With their competitive pricing, advanced technology, and impressive performance credentials, Chinese EVs are carving out a growing share of the market. Xiaomi, with its established reputation for innovation in consumer electronics, is well-positioned to capitalize on this shift.
Yet, the road ahead is not without obstacles. The production bottlenecks currently plaguing Xiaomi’s automotive division serve as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in scaling up car manufacturing—especially in the face of such explosive demand. Lei Jun’s insistence on prioritizing domestic deliveries before expanding internationally reflects a pragmatic approach, aimed at ensuring that the brand can deliver on its promises to customers at home and abroad.
As Xiaomi prepares to enter the European market by 2027, industry observers are watching closely to see how the company will navigate the challenges of international expansion. Will it be able to ramp up production to meet global demand? Can it replicate its domestic success in the highly competitive and regulated European market? And how will established Western brands respond to this new wave of competition from the East?
One thing is certain: Xiaomi’s rapid ascent in the EV sector is emblematic of a broader transformation sweeping the global automotive industry. With Chinese brands like BYD, Jaecoo, and Omoda already gaining traction in Europe, and Xiaomi poised to join their ranks, the balance of power in the world’s car markets is shifting. For consumers, that means more choices, better technology, and—perhaps most importantly—a front-row seat to one of the most exciting races in modern manufacturing.
As the countdown to 2027 continues, all eyes are on Xiaomi and its rivals, each vying for a place in the future of European mobility. The next few years promise to be anything but dull for the continent’s car buyers—and for the industry as a whole.
