Xiaomi Developing Two Car Models Simultaneously

Key progress has been made just lately in Xiaomi‘s automaking efforts. Chinese media outlet LatePost learned exclusively that the Beijing-based tech giant’s first automobile will likely be a medium-sized fastback sedan referred to by inner code “Modena,” with two variations for which the costs haven’t but been determined.

The present pricing scheme mentioned internally includes one model positioned within the vary of 260,000-300,000 yuan ($37,000-$43,000), and one other model above 350,000 yuan ($50,000).

The two variations of the Xiaomi automobile could have variations when it comes to EIC (electrical, instrumentation, and pc) methods and clever driving. One of them is predicated on the mainstream 400V platform, outfitted with BYD’s ferrous lithium phosphate battery, and adopting the 5R1V (5 millimeter wave radars and 1 digicam) multi-sensor fusion scheme supplied by Continental AG, which is identical because the 2021 Li ONE.

The costly model is predicated on the 800V high-voltage platform and is supplied with CATL’s Kirin battery, which is anticipated to cost 80% in quarter-hour. Intelligent driving capabilities are supported by the NVIDIA Orin X chip and laser radar, and the algorithm has been developed by Xiaomi itself.

Both variations undertake Qualcomm’s subsequent technology clever cockpit chip (the 8295). This chip has not but been mass-produced, and it’s anticipated to be put in on the Jidu ROBO-01 for the primary time within the second half of this yr.

According to sources near Xiaomi, the agency can be conducting R&D for its second manufacturing automobile referred to by inner code “Le Mans,” which is deliberate to be launched in 2025. This automobile adopts the identical fundamental platform as Modena, however the electrical drive system is powered by three motors, and the digital management software program is self-developed by Xiaomi. The digital management software program of the primary automobile originated from United Microelectronics Corporation and Shenzhen Inovance Tech.

Xiaomi introduced plans to make its personal vehicles in March 2021, and its first mannequin is deliberate to be launched within the first quarter of 2024. This prototype automobile is at the moment within the trial manufacturing stage. In mid-to-late December, two variations of the Modena had been towed to Mohe, Heilongjiang, situated in China’s distant northeastern nook, to confirm the efficiency, sturdiness and reliability of the automobiles in extraordinarily chilly climates.

According to the plan, the trial manufacturing section will final till the center of subsequent yr, then trial manufacturing preparation will likely be carried out at a manufacturing unit within the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area. If all goes properly, the primary Xiaomi automobile could also be launched by the tip of this yr.

There at the moment are greater than 2,000 workers at Xiaomi Auto, and half of the core executives have been transferred from Xiaomi Corp. From the angle of fairness, Xiaomi Auto remains to be a subsidiary of Xiaomi Corp. Internally, Xiaomi Auto is equal to a first-level division throughout the group, and it’s known as the “Auto Department.” There are greater than a dozen secondary departments underneath this division. Among them, departments associated to automobile R&D are primarily based mostly in Shanghai, the top of car {hardware} system operations is from Geely, the top of energy division is from United Electronics, and the top of clever manufacturing division is from Magna.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi Obtains New Automotive Battery Patent

Yesterday, agency founder Lei Jun held a employees assembly at Xiaomi Auto, throughout which the chief exhibited sturdy optimism within the agency’s personal product. “Our car will definitely catch fire,” mentioned Lei, utilizing an expression that refers to a product that sells very properly. “The only worry is that if the battery price rises again, we may become a super luxury car.”

During the assembly, Lei additionally indicated that automarking actually burns funds. “I always felt that William Li [The founder of Nio] spent money quickly. After entering the market, I found that we were not spending slowly.” In the previous two years, Xiaomi Auto has spent $900 million on R&D and manufacturing unit building, and when its first automobile is delivered, the entire endeavor could have price about $2.7 billion. If provide chains and advertising and marketing are included, the mission could have price an extra $1.4 billion, bringing the whole to nearly $5 billion.

Lei Jun as soon as made an inner remark that he’s spending 50% of his vitality on Xiaomi Auto, and his aim in 2022 is to check drive 100 automobiles. According to LatePost, Lei Jun typically borrows vehicles from associates and workers. He typically goes to the corporate’s underground storage to “stroll around” and see what vehicles the workers drive. If he sees fascinating vehicles, he asks on enterprise communications platform Feishu, “Whose car is this? Could you lend me a few days?” People familar with the matter additionally instructed Pandaily that an investor as soon as instructed Lei Jun that profitable automaking requires a deep familiarity with the product, so Lei drives to commute by himself daily. He normally goes to work at 8 am and leaves late at evening.

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