Xiaomi has officially kicked off deliveries of its highly anticipated YU7 electric SUV in 58 cities across China, with company founder Lei Jun personally handing over vehicles to some lucky owners. The excitement surrounding the YU7 has resulted in extended wait times for eager customers, with some facing a daunting 14-month wait for delivery.
According to Xiaomi EV, the smartphone giant’s electric vehicle unit, the first batch of YU7 deliveries commenced today, marking a significant milestone for the company. While the exact number of vehicles delivered was not disclosed, the initial rollout covers a wide range of cities nationwide.
As deliveries get underway, the wait times for the YU7 have only increased, adding to the anticipation among buyers. Customers opting for the standard version of the YU7 now face a wait of 59-62 weeks, up from the previous estimate of 58-61 weeks as of last week. The Pro and Max variants of the YU7 also experienced longer wait times, now standing at 53-56 weeks and 45-48 weeks, respectively.
Interestingly, the wait time for Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan has seen a mixed bag of changes, with the standard version facing a slight increase in wait time while the higher-priced variants have seen shorter wait times. The SU7 Pro and Max now have wait times of 35-38 weeks and 33-36 weeks, respectively, down from their previous estimates, while the entry-level SU7 has a wait time of 38-41 weeks.
Despite concerns that the launch of the YU7 might cannibalize orders for the SU7, Lei Jun reassured customers that only a small percentage of YU7 orders were transferred from the SU7 and SU7 Ultra models. The YU7, positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y, has received overwhelming demand since its launch on June 26, with over 200,000 firm orders secured within the first three minutes of sales.
Xiaomi’s production capacity has been put to the test with the launch of the YU7, as the company’s operational factory in Beijing is currently running at full capacity. The company has already started production of the YU7 and allowed consumers to lock in orders, indicating a swift start to deliveries. Plans for the production of customized YU7 vehicles are in the pipeline, with deliveries expected to begin in August.
Looking ahead, Xiaomi is gearing up for mass production at its phase 2 factory, with reports indicating large-scale hiring to meet growing demand. The completion of the phase 2 project is slated for mid-June, with production expected to kick off in July-August. With the YU7 making waves in the EV market, Xiaomi is poised to make a significant impact in the industry.
