There have been many speculations regarding Xiaomi, the Chinese technology giant, making its debut in the electric vehicle segment in India. However, the company is only showcasing the SU7 EV in India and remains focused on strengthening its position in the Chinese domestic market. A recent exclusive interview with Financial Express revealed that Xiaomi has no immediate intentions to venture into the Indian EV market.
Xiaomi SU7: What are the plans for SU7?
Xiaomi made its presence felt in the EV market in 2021 and announced that the company will $10 billion in electric vehicles in the next ten years. Xiaomi flexed its muscles by launching its first EV earlier this year and it’s priced from $30,000 onwards. Xiaomi has unveiled the SU7 India to showcase its technology and the company’s intent to be a serious EV player. Speaking exclusively to Financial Express, Muralikrishnan B, President of Xiaomi India said, “Currently, the company is focused on the electric vehicle market in China and has no immediate plans to enter the Indian market”. He also ruled out the possibility of a global SU7 launch. The OEM’s India President insisted, “Xiaomi is only focused on the Chinese EV market for the next three years.”
Xiaomi SU7: What could have been?
If Xiaomi had decided to launch the swanky-looking SU7, then it would have locked horns with the BYD Seal. Both are slow-slung EV sedans with sports cars-like aerodynamics. The Seal is available in three variants, Dynamic, Premium and Performance. The dynamic has an output of 201 bhp and 310 Nm while the 308 bhp Premium’s torque is 360 Nm. Both these trims have a rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. The top model, the performance, has an all-wheel-drive drivetrain and is powered by dual motors. It has an output of 523 bhp and 670 Nm. The 61.44 kWh battery powers the entry-level variant while the top model gets 82.56 kWh battery. Based on the trim, the Seal has a driving range from 510 km to 650 km.
The Xiaomi SU7, on the other hand, is available in three variants — SU7 standard, SU7 Pro and SU7 Max. Like the Seal, the SU7 has an option of two drivetrains —the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive system. The former version produces 295 bhp and 400 Nm of torque while the latter with a dual electric motor has an output of 664 bhp and 838 Nm of torque. The SU7 has two battery options — the a 73.6 kWh battery with a 535 km range for entry-level and a 101 kWh battery for the top version with a claimed range of 800 km range, based on the CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle).
