China's Xiaomi unveils first electric car, plans to become top automaker
Baku, December 29, AZERTAC
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi took the wraps off its first electric vehicle on Thursday and promptly announced it was aiming to become one of the world's top five automakers, according to Reuters.
The sedan, dubbed the SU7 with the SU short for Speed Ultra, is a highly anticipated model that Chief Executive Lei Jun touted as having "super electric motor" technology capable of delivering acceleration speeds faster than Tesla cars and Porsche's EVs.
But the car - likely to go on sale in several months - is making its debut at a time when China's auto market - the world's largest - is wrestling with a capacity glut and slowing demand that have stoked a bruising price war.
That didn't stop Xiaomi Chief Executive Lei Jun from outlining big ambitions.
"By working hard over the next 15 to 20 years, we will become one of the world's top 5 automakers, striving to lift China's overall automobile industry," he said at the unveiling.
Those plans include building "a dream car comparable to Porsche and Tesla," he added.
The SU7 is also expected to appeal to customers due to its shared operating system with Xiaomi's popular phones and other electronic devices. Its drivers will have seamless access to the company's existing portfolio of mobile apps.
"Xiaomi is a well-established consumer electronics brand with hundreds of millions of 'Mi Fans', or members of its smart device ecosystem," said Bill Russo, CEO of Shanghai-based advisory firm Automobility.
The SU7 will come in two versions - one with a driving range of up to 668 km (415 miles) on a single charge and another with a range of up to 800 km. By comparison, Tesla's Model S has a range of up to 650 km.
Pricing has yet to be announced. Lei said the cost would "indeed be a bit high, but one that will have everyone will think is justified."
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