Xiaomi YU7: The Rush for the “Tesla Killer” Causes a Year-Long Wait

This page is translated from the original post "Xiaomi YU7 : la ruée vers le “Tesla killer” provoque un an d’attente" in French.

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Xiaomi YU7

With over 200,000 orders recorded in just 3 minutes, it is certain that the YU7 will be highly sought after

Xiaomi certainly did not anticipate such a successful launch for its all-new electric SUV, the YU7. A staggering figure, especially impressive as these orders come with a firm, non-refundable deposit of 5,000 yuan (approximately 600 euros). This is a rare proof of commitment in a market used to unfulfilled pre-orders.

But this immediate success has a downside with the saturation of production capacities. According to Xiaomi’s official website, customers will now have to wait between 53 and 56 weeks to receive the standard model, between 48 and 51 weeks for the Pro, and from 33 to 36 weeks for the Max. These delays are reminiscent of the early days of Tesla’s Model Y, which Xiaomi does not hesitate to compare itself to.

Tesla in Xiaomi’s sights

Behind this enthusiasm lies a deliberate strategy: to outperform Tesla and do so at a lower cost. During the official presentation, CEO Lei Jun highlighted concrete arguments to compete with the queen of electric SUVs. An electrochromatic roof for passive cooling, acoustic double glazing, an active noise reduction system, and superior range make it the new benchmark in the segment at a lower price. The entry-level YU7, offered at 253,800 yuan (about 28,000 euros), thus promises 200 more kilometers of range than the equivalent Model Y, for 1,200 euros less.

Xiaomi, which is only at its second vehicle after the SU7, announces plans to increase its production capacity to 350,000 units by the end of the year. While most manufacturers struggle to generate enthusiasm around their electric models, Xiaomi proves that an aggressive positioning and controlled execution can be enough to create a tidal wave. The question remains whether this tidal wave will turn into a lasting wave… or a devastating surge for a manufacturer that is ultimately still a novice.

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