Xiaomi SU7: Resemblance to Porsche Taycan Sparks Debate
Xiaomi’s foray into automotive manufacturing with the Xiaomi SU7 has garnered significant attention. Beyond its technological advancements and competitive pricing, the vehicle’s exterior design has become a topic of discussion.
Observers have noted the SU7’s striking resemblance to the Porsche Taycan, earning it the nickname “Mi Porsche” or “Mische.”
In mid-April 2024, Michael Kirsch, President and CEO of Porsche China, addressed the similarities for the first time during an interview.
Kirsch attributed the likeness between the Xiaomi SU7 and Porsche vehicles to the idea of “great minds thinking alike,” suggesting that successful designs tend to resonate globally.
The executive emphasized Porsche’s distinct design aesthetic, guided by the principle of “form follows function.” He noted that these principles have shaped Porsche’s unique brand identity over its 75-year history, highlighting the German automaker’s commitment to innovation and meticulous production standards.
Kirsch expressed his expectation of fair and legal competition with companies adhering to similar or even higher standards.
Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s automotive design director, Li Tianyuan, clarified that the SU7’s design was never intended to emulate Porsche.
CEO Lei Jun also touched on the topic during the SU7’s press conference, stating that designs with the lowest wind resistance will naturally look similar.
Despite the controversy surrounding the SU7’s design, its aesthetics have resonated with most owners and enthusiasts. A survey conducted by new energy media outlet Garage No. 42 revealed that 81% out of 100 pre-order owners of the Xiaomi SU7 ranked “exterior design” as a top factor in their purchase decision.
As a result, the market demand for the Xiaomi SU7 has far exceeded the tech giant’s expectations.
Specifically, Lei Jun disclosed during a livestream that pre-orders for the Xiaomi SU7 were three to five times higher than the company had initially anticipated.
According to Carscoops, the strong sales performance of the Xiaomi SU7 can be attributed to its advertised price point. Xiaomi’s debut electric vehicle starts at $29,900 USD, a price point $4,000 USD lower than Tesla Model 3s produced at the company’s Gigafactory in Shanghai. Xiaomi has also claimed to have garnered 50,000 deposits within just 27 minutes of opening pre-orders for the SU7.
The first Xiaomi SU7 units were delivered to customers in late March, albeit in the form of the Founder Edition. According to Carscoops, standard versions of the Xiaomi SU7 have only recently begun reaching customers in Beijing and Shenzhen this week.
The Xiaomi SU7 is the tech conglomerate’s first electric vehicle. It is offered in three variants: Standard ($29,900 USD), Pro ($34,000 USD), and Max ($41,500 USD).
The top-of-the-line Max trim is equipped with Qilin’s 101 kWh CATL battery pack, offering a maximum range of 800 km on a full charge. Thanks to its dual electric motor configuration, all-wheel-drive system, and 800-volt electrical architecture, the vehicle boasts 673 horsepower and 838 Nm of torque.
_References: Carscoops, AutoTech_
