Xiaomi, the Chinese technology giant, today organized a closed-door meeting with partners from the automotive sector, sparking much speculation about his car-building project. The meeting was highly confidential and electronic devices such as cell phones, computers and tablets were not allowed in the venue.
Xiaomi holds a "mysterious" closed-door meeting with partners in the auto sector
According to media reports, the participants of this meeting were from companies in Xiaomi's automobile-related industrial chain, and key customers were invited. Among these, there were also several buses from BAIC group, one of the largest car manufacturers in China.
The goal of the meeting was probably to discuss the progress and plans of Xiaomi Motors, the automotive division of Xiaomi, which was founded in March this year with a initial investment of 10 billion yuan (about 1,3 billion euros). Xiaomi Motors has ambitions to become a leader in the smart and connected car market, leveraging its expertise in mobile devices and the internet of things.
Xiaomi Motors has already announced that its first car model will be launched in the first half of 2024 and that it will be equipped with HyperOS operating system, that connects cars, phones and homes. The operating system was officially released in September and promises a smooth and intuitive experience for users.
As for the technical characteristics of the car, it is said that Xiaomi will offer both a pure electric drive version and an extended range version, with pure electric models divided into high-end and low-end versions. The low-end version will use a 400V platform and batteries from BYD, while the high-end version will use an 800V platform and Kirin batteries from CATL.
In terms of design, Xiaomi's car will adopt a four-door coupe style, with a low stance and a fastback body, giving the vehicle a sporty air.
Xiaomi has not yet revealed the name and price of its first car model, but it expects it to be competitive and accessible, following the company's philosophy of offering quality products at reasonable prices.
