Xiaomi Launches Deliveries for Enhanced SU7 EV and Inks Sponsorships with Top Chinese Racing Series

Xiaomi has begun deliveries of its next-generation SU7 electric sedan, underscoring the model's sporty appeal through a swift rollout and expanded motorsport involvement. The company held a live-streamed ceremony on Monday to mark the handover of the first batch of these upgraded vehicles, which feature more than 100 hardware and software enhancements. Demand proved strong right away, with over 15,000 confirmed orders placed in just 34 minutes after the March 19 debut. To counter previous criticisms about delivery delays, Xiaomi accelerated production preparations by two months. This advance enables fulfillment of new orders in one to five weeks. Founder and CEO Lei Jun highlighted the company's dedication to quicker service, drawing on feedback from owners over the past two years. The upgraded SU7 starts at 219,900 yuan (about $31,810), a 4,000-yuan increase from the previous version—yet it remains 15,600 yuan cheaper than Tesla's Model 3. Although the upgrades raised material costs by around 20,000 yuan, Xiaomi limited the price hike to keep it affordable for buyers.

Motorsport Expansion in China

Investor sentiment was mixed, as Xiaomi's Hong Kong-listed shares fell 8.59% the day after the launch and dipped another 2.41% in early trading, reflecting concerns about narrowing profit margins. In tandem with its delivery efforts, Xiaomi is strengthening its domestic racing profile by securing title sponsorships for three top Chinese events: the China Touring Car Championship, China GT Championship, and China Endurance Championship. Through these deals, the SU7 Ultra and upcoming YU7 SUV will serve as official safety and medical vehicles. Lei Jun called racetracks vital for testing vehicle performance and safety, while instilling a high-performance culture in Xiaomi's development process. This initiative builds on the company's global motorsport presence, following its May 2025 partnership with Germany's Nürburgring. There, the production SU7 Ultra set a record lap time of 7 minutes and 4.957 seconds, making it the fastest mass-produced EV on the circuit. The SU7 Ultra produces 1,548 horsepower and starts at 529,900 yuan.