Xiaomi

An unusual heatwave in Northeast China since late June has triggered an unprecedented surge in air conditioner sales. Heilongjiang experienced a staggering 817.68% YoY increase in offline sales in late June, followed by Jilin’s explosive growth. Xiaomi and Midea reported significant sales jumps. This demand overwhelmed supply chains, causing shortages, delivery delays, and straining installation services. Companies are deploying resources to address bottlenecks. Jingdong Logistics reported a 300% increase in air conditioner deliveries, peaking in early July with a 400% YoY order increase.

A photo of NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang and Xiaomi’s Lei Jun has surfaced, sparking speculation about collaboration. NVIDIA offered a vague response about the image, and sources indicate it’s from a private client visit. The photo’s timing is unknown. This emerges before Huang’s expected appearance at the China International Supply Chain Expo. Huang and Lei have a history, dating back to 2013 when Huang promoted NVIDIA’s Tegra chips at a Xiaomi launch event, emphasizing the importance of the Chinese market.

Xiaomi’s REDMI is venturing into short-form entertainment with “Time-Traveling Partners,” premiering July 17th. This “hardcore time-travel entrepreneurial saga,” a collaboration with Douyin and Wanhe Tianyi, will feature REDMI’s K80 Supreme Edition and K Pad tablet. Notably, Xiaomi China’s Marketing Director Wang Teng and REDMI Product Manager Hu Xinxin star in the series. The move has sparked interest in a potential cameo from Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, following his past acting experience.

Xiaomi launched a summer campaign distributing 600,000 “Visionary Personality Popsicles” with QR codes for fridge giveaways. The wrappers link traits like “embracing freshness” and “emotional stability” to its refrigerators’ tech features, blending experiential branding with Gen-Z appeal. Analysts note it converts technical specs into viral, relatable narratives, boosting store traffic by 40-60% through gamified scans offering product recommendations. The strategy avoids discounts, instead positioning appliances as lifestyle anchors via social-media-friendly engagement, aligning with Xiaomi’s “Lifestyle Electronics” focus on emotional-tech synergy.

China’s micro-drama market surges but faces content originality concerns. A controversial mini-series, “Rehire Me,” drew criticism for its clear parallels to Huawei and Xiaomi. It features characters named similarly to Huawei’s Yu Chengdong and Xiaomi’s SU7 car model within fictionalized corporate rivalry plots. Despite accusations of thinly-veiled exploitation for views and monetization tactics, the series gained over 810,000 views.

Xiaomi Chairman Lei Jun congratulated Great Wall Motor on its 35th anniversary, praising its future prospects. Great Wall Motor’s Chairman Jack Wey shared gratitude for support and announced upcoming strategic reveals, including a new platform and a five-year development plan. The strong personal bond between Wey and Lei Jun was evident, with Lei Jun having previously endorsed Great Wall Motor’s models.

Xiaomi is launching “Xiaomi Youth Apartments” to provide affordable housing for young engineers. These furnished 29sqm studios near the Changping campus offer amenities like smart living features, communal kitchens, and a fitness center, with priority for recent graduates. The initiative aims to boost employee well-being and community, with plans to extend similar facilities to car factory employees as well.

XPeng Motors CEO He Xiaopeng has ordered Xiaomi’s new SU7 EV, citing its strong product competitiveness. This move highlights the competitive yet respectful dynamic in China’s EV market. XPeng is also preparing to launch its G7 model. The SU7 is in high demand, with significant waiting times for locked orders, leading to a secondary market with resale premiums. Xiaomi advises locking orders for production visibility.

Xiaomi has launched its first physical store, “Xiaomi Home,” in Seoul, South Korea, marking a key expansion in its global retail strategy. Offering a range of products and after-sales support, the store mirrors its domestic counterparts. The company is incentivizing purchases with free delivery and installation services. This move, part of Xiaomi’s “New Retail” strategy, aims to expand internationally, with plans for 10,000 Mi Homes and a doubling of international revenue within the next few years.

Xiaomi founder Lei Jun promotes the new YU7 EV, highlighting its impressive range and performance. The YU7 Standard Edition achieved the top spot in the EasyCar Endurance Test for SUV models, with a 784km real-world range. A 24-hour endurance test saw the YU7 Max cover 3,944km, showcasing its power, charging, and durability. This aggressive marketing approach signals Xiaomi’s ambition in the EV market.