Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant, has denied reports suggesting a delay in the launch of its highly anticipated YU7 electric SUV. In a statement released on Wednesday, Wang Hua, head of Xiaomi’s public relations, clarified that the launch date for the YU7 remained unchanged, and the vehicle would still be available in June or July, as previously announced by CEO Lei Jun. This statement came in response to a Bloomberg report that claimed the launch had been delayed and a new date had yet to be confirmed.
Xiaomi had previously disappointed fans and analysts when it announced that the YU7 electric SUV, a highly anticipated competitor to Tesla’s popular Model Y, would not be showcased at the Shanghai auto show. This decision marked a contrast to the company’s high-profile presence at last year’s Beijing auto show, where it unveiled its SU7 sedan. For this year’s Shanghai show, Xiaomi took a more subdued approach, opting not to hold a press conference and instead showcasing only its SU7 and SU7 Ultra models.
Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s billionaire founder, was notably absent from the Shanghai event, with the company attributing his absence to a scheduling conflict. Despite his physical absence, the company confirmed that Lei was still closely following the event and promoting it through his Weibo account.
The absence of the YU7 at the Shanghai show and Lei’s no-show marked a stark contrast to last year’s event, where Lei was the center of attention, often surrounded by cameras. Xiaomi’s decision to forgo a major reveal of its new electric SUV has sparked some disappointment, especially given the high expectations surrounding the vehicle’s entry into the electric vehicle market.
Xiaomi has faced additional scrutiny following a tragic accident involving an SU7 model last month. The vehicle, equipped with an advanced driving assistance system, collided with a roadside pole at high speed, resulting in a fatal crash that claimed the lives of the driver and two passengers. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Xiaomi’s vehicles and the reliability of its autonomous driving features, adding to the challenges facing the company as it pushes forward with its ambitions in the EV market.
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