Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/CNEVPOST
Technology giants are slowly but surely expanding in the automotive space, and while Apple has a hard time keeping a team together to make rapid progress on its car, rival Xiaomi moves much faster to bring the first model to the market.
The first Xiaomi Car, currently referred to by its codename – MS11, could hit the streets in 2024 in the form of an electric sedan. People familiar with the matter claim Xiaomi is already working on a second electric vehicle, but a set of spyshots that reached the web via Chinese media indicate the company is fully committed to getting the sedan ready.
The MS11, whose official name could be Modena, has already entered the trial production. Xiaomi builds approximately 50 units every week, taking the prototypes out for testing and hiding them under heavy camouflage to hide their lines.
One of these prototypes was recently caught in what looks to be a parking lot, likely at a Xiaomi production facility. It doesn't have the wheels and the motor, but the shell is disguised to hide the juicy details from us.
However, the images include several essential tidbits, including something that everybody has been thinking of for quite some time. If the electric sedan didn't make you think about Tesla, maybe the photo showing the rear of the Xiaomi Car will, as it resembles the Model 3.
Xiaomi, whose main goal is to compete against the Apple Car when its rival's ambitious project is ready, is going after Tesla too, at least with this first model. The spyshots reveal the Xiaomi Car could also sport frameless doors and a charging port installed in the back.
The door panel wears the Xiaomi badge, so the Chinese tech behemoth won't partner with a third-party audio supplier for the stereo system. Xiaomi likely believes it has what it takes to deliver an immersive audio experience behind the wheel of its vehicles, so the company will probably use in-house speakers and head units.
Xiaomi wants to rely on third-party suppliers as little as possible to maintain control over the vehicle. It's a strategy Apple also uses, not only for the upcoming Apple Car but also for other critical products, including the iPhone.
The first Xiaomi Car should be announced in a few months, as mass production is due to begin in early 2024. Xiaomi is still waiting for full approval in China, after which it wants to accelerate the production efforts to bring the vehicle to the market.
The first Xiaomi Car could be offered in two versions, with an extended-range model to integrate a conventional gasoline-powered engine to act as a generator for the electric motor. Xiaomi has never commented on these rumors, though the company previously dropped hints that its focus is on electric vehicles.
The MS11, whose official name could be Modena, has already entered the trial production. Xiaomi builds approximately 50 units every week, taking the prototypes out for testing and hiding them under heavy camouflage to hide their lines.
One of these prototypes was recently caught in what looks to be a parking lot, likely at a Xiaomi production facility. It doesn't have the wheels and the motor, but the shell is disguised to hide the juicy details from us.
However, the images include several essential tidbits, including something that everybody has been thinking of for quite some time. If the electric sedan didn't make you think about Tesla, maybe the photo showing the rear of the Xiaomi Car will, as it resembles the Model 3.
Xiaomi, whose main goal is to compete against the Apple Car when its rival's ambitious project is ready, is going after Tesla too, at least with this first model. The spyshots reveal the Xiaomi Car could also sport frameless doors and a charging port installed in the back.
The door panel wears the Xiaomi badge, so the Chinese tech behemoth won't partner with a third-party audio supplier for the stereo system. Xiaomi likely believes it has what it takes to deliver an immersive audio experience behind the wheel of its vehicles, so the company will probably use in-house speakers and head units.
Xiaomi wants to rely on third-party suppliers as little as possible to maintain control over the vehicle. It's a strategy Apple also uses, not only for the upcoming Apple Car but also for other critical products, including the iPhone.
The first Xiaomi Car should be announced in a few months, as mass production is due to begin in early 2024. Xiaomi is still waiting for full approval in China, after which it wants to accelerate the production efforts to bring the vehicle to the market.
The first Xiaomi Car could be offered in two versions, with an extended-range model to integrate a conventional gasoline-powered engine to act as a generator for the electric motor. Xiaomi has never commented on these rumors, though the company previously dropped hints that its focus is on electric vehicles.
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