On the evening of March 29, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded on the Tongling Zongyang Expressway in Anhui, China, when a Xiaomi SU7 vehicle, carrying three female university students, crashed into a guardrail and subsequently caught fire. The accident resulted in the heartbreaking deaths of all three occupants, prompting widespread outrage and concern over vehicle safety.
According to the Tongling City Zongyang County Government Office, the collision led to the fatalities of the three young women. A netizen, claiming to be a family member of the victims, expressed their grief on social media, stating, "On the evening of March 29, the vehicle hit the guardrail, causing the doors to lock and the battery to explode, resulting in the death of three people in the car." This harrowing account has since resonated with many, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the accident.
In the aftermath of the incident, Xiaomi's stock faced a significant downturn. On April 1, 2025, the company reported details of the crash, leading to a drop of more than 5% in its share price during afternoon trading. This decline marked a new low since February 18, 2025, and represented a 21% decrease from the historical high of 59.45 Hong Kong dollars reached on March 19, 2025. Investors reacted swiftly to the news, reflecting concerns over the implications of the accident.
In a statement released on April 1, a Xiaomi spokesperson provided further insight into the events leading up to the crash. They explained that the vehicle was operating in NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) intelligent assisted driving mode at a speed of 116 km/h prior to the incident. The spokesperson detailed that the road section where the accident occurred was closed for construction, with barriers diverting traffic to the opposite lane. Upon detecting an obstacle, the vehicle issued a warning and began to decelerate. The driver then took control of the vehicle, but it ultimately collided with a concrete barrier at a confirmed speed of approximately 97 km/h.
According to Xiaomi's timeline of events, at 22:44:24, the NOA system issued a risk warning, stating, "Please pay attention to obstacles ahead," and began to slow down. By 22:44:25, the system had switched to manual driving mode. The crash occurred between 22:44:26 and 22:44:28, just seconds after the transition.
The details surrounding the crash have sparked intense scrutiny and criticism from the public. Many netizens have raised questions about the effectiveness of the vehicle's safety features. Comments on social media reflect a growing frustration, with users questioning the adequacy of the warning system and the circumstances that led to the doors being unable to open during the fire. One user remarked, "Why did the doors not open?" while another expressed disbelief at the rapid sequence of events, stating, "The warning about the obstacle came just two seconds before the crash?"
Critics have also pointed out that Xiaomi's response has been insufficient. Some have called for more transparency regarding the vehicle's safety mechanisms, including the battery's performance during the incident. One commenter lamented, "The fact that the fire and the inability to escape were not addressed in Xiaomi's statement is alarming. Why is there no mention of the battery catching fire?"
As the investigation into the accident continues, the families of the victims are left grappling with their loss. The incident has not only raised questions about the safety of the Xiaomi SU7 but has also ignited a broader conversation about the responsibilities of automakers in ensuring the safety of their vehicles, particularly those equipped with advanced driving technologies.
The implications of this tragic event extend beyond the immediate loss of life. It raises critical issues about the safety of autonomous and semi-autonomous driving systems. As more vehicles incorporate these technologies, the importance of robust safety measures and effective emergency response systems becomes paramount.
Furthermore, the incident underscores the need for regulatory bodies to closely monitor the development and deployment of such technologies, ensuring that manufacturers adhere to stringent safety standards. The public's trust in these innovations hinges on the assurance that they are safe and reliable.
In conclusion, the tragic accident involving the Xiaomi SU7 serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with advanced automotive technologies. As investigations proceed and families mourn their losses, the focus must shift towards ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future. The conversations sparked by this event could lead to significant changes in how vehicle safety is approached, ultimately aiming to prevent further tragedies.
