Xiaomi, a prominent player in the electric vehicle market, faced a tragic incident when a Xiaomi SU7 caught fire after crashing into a highway guardrail in Tongling, Anhui. The accident resulted in the unfortunate deaths of three individuals in the car. This incident shed a spotlight on Xiaomi and led to a significant drop of about 5 percent in the company’s shares traded in Hong Kong.
The fatal accident occurred on the night of March 29, causing severe damage to the front of the vehicle. Pictures and videos of the incident circulated on social media, sparking discussions and making Xiaomi a trending topic. In response to the incident, Xiaomi released an official statement on Weibo, expressing deep regret for the tragic event.
The vehicle involved in the accident was a SU7 standard version, which was launched on March 28, 2024. The SU7 comes in three variants – Standard, Pro, and Max, with the Standard being the entry-level model. Prior to the accident, the vehicle’s NOA (Navigate on Autopilot) function was activated, and it was traveling at a speed of 116 km/h.
The accident took place in a road section undergoing repairs, leading to the lane where the SU7 was initially driving being closed. The vehicle issued warnings after detecting obstacles ahead and began to slow down. Despite the driver taking control of the vehicle and attempting to steer it, a collision with the concrete guardrail occurred, with the system confirming a speed of about 97 km/h before the impact.
Xiaomi has cooperated with the police investigation in Tongling, providing vehicle driving data and system operation information. Despite the tragic incident, the Xiaomi SU7 remains popular among customers, with waiting times for new orders extending to at least 40 weeks.
On a positive note, Xiaomi EV, the company’s electric vehicle arm, announced that it delivered over 29,000 vehicles in March, marking the sixth consecutive month of monthly deliveries exceeding 20,000 vehicles. This success reflects Xiaomi’s strong presence in the EV market and its commitment to innovation.
In conclusion, while the incident involving the Xiaomi SU7 was a tragic event, Xiaomi continues to thrive in the electric vehicle industry, showcasing resilience and dedication to delivering cutting-edge technology to its customers.
