Xiaomi

China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd. was officially established in Chongqing on July 29th as a state-owned automotive giant. With a registered capital of 20 billion yuan and Zhu Huarong as legal representative, the company aims to become a globally competitive automotive group with proprietary core technologies. The launch has attracted significant attention, including congratulations from Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, who pledged collaboration to advance China’s automotive industry.

Xiaomi founder Lei Jun’s fitness regime, marked by 73 gym sessions this year, became a trending topic on Weibo amidst severe weather conditions in Northern China. Torrential rains have battered regions including Beijing and Hebei, raising concerns about flooding and landslides. Meteorologists attribute the extreme precipitation to a strong subtropical high, leading to unstable atmospheric conditions and record rainfall. Authorities are urging vigilance due to the elevated risk of flash floods and landslides.

Xiaomi President Lu Weibing attended Leica’s centennial exhibition, highlighting Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica to bridge humanistic photography with mobile computational photography. Xiaomi and Leica have collaborated on over 20 models in four years and established the Xiaomi x Leica Optical Institute. The institute focuses on core optical technologies, including AI and image digital technology, to advance mobile imaging optics and leverage both companies’ strengths. They aim to redefine mobile imaging capabilities and lead in optical technology evolution.

Xiaomi has won a five-year patent battle against GE Video Compression, a former member of the HEVC Advance patent pool. China’s Supreme People’s Court upheld the invalidation of GE’s patent, shielding Xiaomi from infringement claims related to the technology. This decision stems from a dispute initiated in 2020, when GE filed an infringement lawsuit against Xiaomi in Germany. Xiaomi strategically challenged the patent’s validity, leading to this final victory. The court determined the patent lacked an inventive step.

Xiaomi enthusiasts await CEO Lei Jun’s annual address; however, the timing is uncertain. Redmi’s Wang Teng suggests Lei needs a break after a busy June. Lei’s annual speeches since 2020 have been highly anticipated, with last year’s focusing on the challenges of Xiaomi’s entry into the electric vehicle market. He attributed the success of the Xiaomi SU7 to collective courage.

NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang praised China’s AI advancements, highlighting his long-standing collaboration with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. Their partnership spans smartphones, AI, and autonomous driving. Huang admires China’s innovative engineers and vast consumer base. During a recent meeting, Lei Jun showcased Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra electric vehicle, prompting Huang to commend its technology and design, expressing his desire to purchase one despite its unavailability in the US. Their decade-long collaboration started when NVIDIA was less established.

Xiaomi’s YU7 electric SUV has garnered over 240,000 pre-orders within 18 hours of launch, signaling a shift in China’s economic outlook. Defying expectations of a price war, Xiaomi focused on innovation and user experience with both the SU7 and YU7 models. Experts suggest Chinese consumers are willing to invest in domestic EVs that meet their needs and demonstrate quality, driving companies toward increased R&D investment. Ford CEO Jim Farley acknowledged China’s advanced EV technology, further highlighting Xiaomi’s potential as a major consumer brand in the automotive sector.

A leaked image suggests Xiaomi is developing a mid-to-large size SUV with a range extender powertrain, potentially launching as early as 2026. The heavily camouflaged prototype, spotted alongside a Xiaomi SU7, showcases a more robust design. This move expands Xiaomi’s product line beyond the current all-electric SU7 and YU7 series, aiming to attract consumers seeking extended driving range. Xiaomi Auto has delivered over 300,000 units, with nearly 170,000 in 2025, and targets 350,000 annually. The SUV introduction could solidify Xiaomi’s position in the EV market.

Videos circulating online show BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu visiting the Xiaomi Auto factory, accompanied by Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. Lei acted as Wang’s “tour guide,” hinting at closer ties between the tech and auto giants. The presence of Shunwei Capital’s Hu Zhengnan further emphasizes the visit’s strategic nature. BYD already supplies batteries for Xiaomi’s SU7, and Wang has publicly supported Xiaomi’s EV venture. This visit may indicate an expansion of their partnership or new alliances in the EV market.

Xiaomi Group is gaining recognition and expanding its smart home capabilities. It was named a “Top 100 Enterprise in China’s Light Industry of Science and Technology” and designated an “Artificial Intelligence Enterprise” in Wuhan. Xiaomi’s first dedicated smart home appliance factory in Wuhan, its third major smart manufacturing facility, is nearing completion and will begin mass production by the end of the year, starting with air conditioning products. This factory will enable Xiaomi to independently develop and manufacture its appliances.