EV Market

Xiaomi’s YU7 electric vehicle achieved record-breaking pre-orders, triggering heated debate. A competitor’s executive criticized the overwhelming demand, predicting long delivery delays and questioning the marketing tactics. The now-deleted criticism backfired, sparking backlash and calls for a boycott. This incident highlights the fierce competition in the EV market and underscores the challenges legacy automakers face against aggressive newcomers.

FF founder Jia Yueting criticized the Chinese EV industry for issues like imitation, undisciplined launches, and exaggerated marketing, urging a focus on innovation and value. He also criticized automotive commentary quality. His comments reflect broader concerns about unsustainable price wars and a need for improved product differentiation and informed public discourse, crucial for global competitiveness, especially in the EV sector.

Neta Auto, a Chinese EV startup, faces mounting financial struggles. Employees reportedly confronted the CEO demanding overdue wages, as captured in social media videos. Legal filings reveal significant execution orders against the company, exceeding 150 million yuan in outstanding execution cases. Despite initial growth, increased competition has led to a sales decline, painting a grim picture of the company’s current financial health.

Nio’s new brand, Ledao, is running a localized pilot program using the L60 model for Didi’s premium ride-hailing service. This move, aimed at broadening consumer access, has sparked discussion. Nio executives address public concern, clarifying this is a limited trial to potentially compete with the BYD Han in the RMB 200,000 segment. They aim to provide consumers with a Ledao experience through a curated program.

The People’s Daily criticizes the ongoing price war in China’s EV market, highlighting concerns about its long-term impact. The article urges automakers to shift focus from price to value, emphasizing technological innovation and high-quality offerings. It observes a transition towards a value-driven market, driven by consumer demand for advanced features and personalized options, advocating for sustainable growth over short-term gains and inflated valuations.

Xiaomi partner Pan Jiutang commented on China’s EV market, highlighting the diverse approaches of key players like SAIC, BYD, Huawei, and Xiaomi itself. He emphasized the importance of market forces and consumer choice over internal evaluations of competitors. This followed public comments from another tech executive, reflecting the intense competition and evolving dynamics of the burgeoning Chinese EV industry.

Xiaomi founder Lei Jun responded to criticisms regarding its EV market entry with social media posts. He echoed resilience, emphasizing “opportunities for those who come later”. This followed remarks from a rival executive appearing to target Xiaomi’s success. Lei Jun also shared a quote about criticism signifying influence, indicating the company views scrutiny positively while acknowledging user support.

At the 2025 Future Automotive Pioneers Conference, Huawei’s Richard Yu criticized EV quality control. He claimed some automakers wouldn’t meet Huawei’s standards. Yu stressed that quality is paramount, advocating for consumer safety and urging the industry to avoid setting low standards. He called for innovation to prevent stagnation and challenged deceptive advertising practices.

Xiaomi executive Lu Weibing expressed confidence in the SU7 electric vehicle’s market position, citing strong demand and robust sales despite competition. He attributed production constraints to lengthy delivery times. Weibing dismissed concerns about the upcoming YU7 impacting SU7 sales and highlighted shared architecture benefits, emphasizing the SU7’s competitive advantages, with rivals lagging far behind in sales.

360 Group Chairman Zhou Hongyi analyzed Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun’s SU7 EV launch tactics in a CNBC AI Exclusive, highlighting three strategies for transforming sales approaches. First, Lei’s relatable storytelling translates technical specs into visceral experiences (e.g., comparing materials to “a baby’s skin”). Second, his pricing strategy framed premium features as $5,800 in “unlocked value,” shifting focus from discounts to perceived luxury. Third, Lei leveraged transparency about Xiaomi’s challenges to build consumer trust. Zhou urged China’s EV sector to adopt these methods, emphasizing emotional engagement over feature lists and redefining value perception in a competitive market.