Latest social media posts present BYD Chairman and CEO Wang Chuanfu visiting Xiaomi’s car manufacturing facility, accompanied by Xiaomi Group founder Lei Jun. The go to, though not formally introduced by both firm, was captured briefly video clips that have been extensively circulated on-line.
Within the movies, Wang is seen touring the Xiaomi Auto plant whereas Lei Jun acts as information, personally introducing the ability’s operations. One other man, sporting a short-sleeved shirt and strolling behind Lei, seems to be Hu Zhengnan, associate at Shunwei Capital and a outstanding determine in China’s auto trade. Hu previously served as president of the Geely Automotive Analysis Institute and chief engineer of the Geely Boyue venture.
This assembly takes place amid continued cooperation between Xiaomi and BYD in each the patron electronics and automotive sectors. BYD Electronics has lengthy been a key provider to Xiaomi’s smartphone enterprise. Additionally, Xiaomi’s SU7 Normal Version makes use of BYD’s Blade Battery.
On the 2024 Beijing Auto Present, Lei Jun said that BYD had been a essential associate for over a decade within the smartphone enterprise and had now turn out to be a core associate within the firm’s EV initiative. Wang Chuanfu attended the identical present and visited the Xiaomi sales space, reinforcing his earlier public assist for Xiaomi’s automotive improvement. As early as 2021, Wang mentioned BYD would assist and collaborate with Xiaomi in its car-making efforts.
The latest manufacturing unit go to has sparked hypothesis a few deeper strategic alignment. Whereas no technical particulars have been disclosed, trade watchers notice the complementary strengths of each firms—BYD in energy battery and drivetrain expertise, and Xiaomi in progressive ecosystems and clever cockpit improvement.
The go to additionally comes throughout a busy week for Lei Jun. Earlier, pictures of him standing alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang subsequent to a Xiaomi SU7 Extremely EV circulated extensively on Chinese language social media, including additional visibility to Xiaomi’s EV model.
Observers have additionally pointed to the broader development of “co-opetition” in China’s EV trade, the place firms with overlapping ambitions nonetheless collaborate on foundational applied sciences, provide chain resilience, and ecosystem integration.
Xiaomi has positioned its EV technique round pure electrical autos with a deal with clever driving and ecosystem integration. BYD, in distinction, provides a variety of EVs and plug-in hybrids and continues to develop its international footprint.
The presence of Hu Zhengnan throughout the go to might additional point out Xiaomi’s emphasis on technical management and trade expertise in scaling up its automobile program.
Neither firm has issued an official assertion in regards to the assembly.
