JAKARTA – Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi said it would start mass production of its first vehicles a little earlier than expected in the first half of 2024.
Founded more than a decade ago, the company’s rapid growth and product portfolio diversification has become quite an interesting spectacle. After being known for making Apple rip-offs, the company has now replaced Apple as the maker of the smartphone the world’s second largest and only a few steps away from overthrowing Samsung from the No. 1.
But it’s not just their achievements, such as overtaking Apple in the phone business where Xiaomi excels. This company is also a brand wearable largest in the world ahead of Apple and Apple Watch.
Xiaomi EV is ahead of schedule. Aiming for mass production in 2024 H1. pic.twitter.com/DKXHdXty2Y
— Leijun (@leijun) October 19, 2021
Over the years, the company’s product range has grown rapidly to encompass everything. Starting from a laptop gaming and smart cameras to electric toothbrushes and even robots like dogs. Xiaomi’s electric vehicle ambitions were announced less than a year ago, but the company has recently accelerated the pace of team expansion and investment to make it a reality.
According to the report Reuters who quoted a company spokesperson, that the company is already aiming to mass-produce its first electric vehicle by 2024. Given the company’s ability to make value-for-money products, Xiaomi’s electric car will try to undercut competitors by offering a complete package at a competitive price.
Xiaomi head Lei Jun also tweeted that the company’s electric vehicle plans had moved ahead of schedule. Mass production will begin approximately three years from now. Looking at familiar competitors, Apple’s own electric car is rumored to be arriving in the same year as well.
Xiaomi completed the registration of its electric car division — called Xiaomi EV — just over a month ago. Meanwhile, an investment of 10 billion US dollars was announced in March this year.
But so far, there is no official information whether Xiaomi will build its own cars or will outsource the work to other more established companies in the industry. Report Reuters another from April mentioned that Xiaomi would manufacture its electric cars at the Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors.
Xiaomi’s electric vehicle will reportedly offer multiple connected ecosystems with its own product lineup, baking in integrated controls like the rumored Apple CarPlay upgrade.
If Xiaomi decides to do outsourcing their electric vehicle assembly line, then they won’t be alone, as Apple is reportedly exploring the same route as well. Apple is experienced with the contract manufacturing process in China, where a wide range of products, such as iPhones and MacBooks, are assembled, most of which is handled by Foxconn.
Interestingly, Foxconn showcased three prototypes of its own electric vehicle earlier this week that serve as reference designs for making electric cars on behalf of other brands. However, it remains to be seen if Xiaomi beats Apple in the market with the debut of its first electric vehicle.
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