Electric car news
Sino-European competition in the electric vehicle market has just reached a new peak. In just six months of existence, Xiaomi's SU7 sedan has propelled the Chinese electronics giant past Toyota in sales of zero-emission vehicles. A remarkable performance that redefines the rules of the game in the global automotive industry.
The meteoric rise of a new automobile giant
Xiaomi's success perfectly illustrates the transformation of the global automotive landscape. With more than 100,000 copies sold in six monthsthe SU7 has established itself as an essential reference in the high-end electric sedan market. This model, marketed only in China for the moment, has generated such demand that waiting times now exceed eight months. Faced with this enthusiasm, Xiaomi had to double its production capacity.
The figures that shake up the world hierarchy
The third quarter of 2024 saw 2.5 million electric vehicles sold throughout the world. In this battle of numbers, Tesla maintains its first place with 432,000 unitsclosely followed by BYD and its 424,000 vehicles. Xiaomi's performance is all the more impressive with 39,790 SU7s deliveredthe brand surpasses Toyota and its 28,000 electric vehicles sold worldwide over the same period.
Technical specifications and advantages of the SU7
- Maximum range of 800 kilometers on the CLTC cycle
- Power up to 578 horsepower for the Performance version
- Ultra-fast charging : 20% to 80% in 30 minutes
- Attractive starting price : around 35,000 euros
The impact on traditional manufacturers
This rise of Chinese manufacturers is shaking up the traditional automobile industry. Volkswagen particularly suffered with a 17% drop in electric salestotaling 170,000 units over the quarter. The Stellantis group is not spared, showing a decline of 20% of its registrations. General Motors maintains its fourth position thanks to its Chinese joint venture SAIC-GM-Wuling.
| Builder | Q3 2024 Sales | Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 432 000 | +15% |
| BYD | 424 000 | +23% |
| Xiaomi | 39 790 | Nouveau |
| Toyota | 28 000 | -5% |
Future prospects and challenges
Xiaomi's success raises questions about the strategy of historic manufacturers. Toyota, in particular, is struggling to establish itself with its unique bZ4X model. This situation illustrates the delay taken by certain traditional manufacturers in their electric transition. The coming months will be decisive for the evolution of the market, particularly with Xiaomi's planned international expansion towards Europe and other strategic markets.
This transformation of the automobile market demonstrates the capacity of new technological players to shake up established codes. The speed with which Xiaomi established itself against a giant like Toyota marks a major turning point in the history of the automobile. Traditional manufacturers will have to redouble their efforts to maintain their position in this rapidly changing market.
Written by François Zhang-Ming
I have always shown a keen interest in science and technology from a very young age. I have a dual culture, Chinese through my mother and French through my father but also through my studies, which allows me to be very familiar with the technological innovations of the Far East.
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