In a surprising twist, CEO Jim Farley of Ford Motor Company recently disclosed on the Everything Electric Show podcast that he has been driving a Xiaomi SU7 for the past six months, rather than a Ford vehicle. This electric sedan comes from the Chinese tech powerhouse Xiaomi.
Unexpected Choices
Farley, who is typically focused on Ford’s electrification efforts, usually prefers not to talk about rival companies. However, his time spent with the SU7 led him to share his impressions. “We flew one from Shanghai to Chicago and I’ve been driving it for six months now, and I don’t want to give it up,” he commented during the podcast.
Impressive Sales
“It’s fantastic. They sell 10,000, 20,000 a month. They’re sold out for six months,” Farley mentioned, highlighting Xiaomi’s remarkable sales performance with the SU7 earlier in the discussion.
Xiaomi's Bold Move
The SU7 marks Xiaomi's first foray into the automotive world! The firm, primarily recognized for its success in smartphones and electronics, made its entry into the electric vehicle market back in 2021. The SU7, their initial model, launched this year, is a full-size sedan with a competitive price tag around $30,000. Despite being affordable, the vehicle is equipped with impressive features such as air suspension, adaptive dampers, and active aerodynamics—each enhancing the driving experience.
Moreover, Xiaomi’s in-house Level 2 and NoA (navigate on autopilot) system provides added convenience, although its certification is presently limited to just 100 cities in China.
Phenomenal Demand
The SU7 has gained phenomenal popularity in China. Remarkably, the entire 2024 production was sold out on its first day, with Xiaomi asserting they pre-sold 100,000 units even before the first car left the factory.
While testing rival cars is common in the car industry, Farley’s enthusiastic endorsement of the SU7 is significant, especially as he usually avoids discussing competitors. This may indicate a potential change in Ford’s approach as they adjust to the increasingly competitive EV landscape that is being shaped by assertive Chinese firms like BYD.
