Xiaomi’s YU7: Record-Breaking Pre-Orders Spark Debate, Rival Executive’s Criticism Backfires
Xiaomi’s foray into the automotive market with its YU7 model is off to a blistering start, setting a new bar for pre-order figures. Within a mere three minutes, the company secured over 200,000 reservations, escalating to an impressive 289,000 within the first hour. These startling numbers, unheard of in the global automotive sector, have naturally captured significant attention.
However, the overwhelming success has also ignited a sharp reaction from a competitor. A senior executive at Dongfeng Nissan, Huang Zhaokun, responsible for electric components and powertrain development, took the unusual step of publicly critiquing the surge in pre-orders. His now-deleted social media post suggested the high demand would translate to significant delivery delays – potentially over a year – and questioned the rationale behind such fervent brand loyalty. He further implied that the rapid pre-order numbers were fuelled by emotional marketing tactics more commonly associated with the smartphone industry, rather than the intricacies of automobile production.
The post’s removal, likely prompted by internal pressure or a desire to mitigate reputational damage, has done little to quell the controversy. The criticism has been met with a backlash from online commentators, with many expressing their intention to boycott the Nissan brand. The situation highlights the intense competitive landscape of the electric vehicle market and the sensitivities surrounding brand perception and consumer trust. The debate also raises questions about the practical implications of such prodigious pre-order numbers, and the potential for supply chain constraints to impact delivery timelines and ultimately, customer satisfaction. This situation underscores the challenge facing legacy automakers as they attempt to contend with the aggressive expansion of new players in the rapidly evolving EV sector.
Original article, Author: Tobias. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/3474.html
