Xiaomi is poaching former BMW engineers.
Title: Xiaomi's Electric Vehicle Push: Hiring Ex-BMW Engineers for Its New Development Center
Grabbing the automobile industry by the horns, Xiaomi—the world's third-largest smartphone manufacturer—is on a mission! The tech titan has been poaching experienced engineers, particularly from BMW, for its brand-new electric vehicle (EV) research and development (R&D) center.
According to LinkedIn profiles, Xiaomi has already welcomed five seasoned professionals to its team. Job openings for talented designers and aerodynamics experts are still up for grabs, with the company keeping tight-lipped on specifics about the R&D center's development.
You might be wondering, what's next for Xiaomi in the automotive sector? First, let's rewind a bit. Xiaomi ventured into vehicle production last year and made substantial strides, outpacing Tesla's Model 3 in China's sales market last December. There's a strong buzz around Xiaomi's president, Lu Weibing's promises of global EV sales by 2027. However, he hasn't disclosed which markets the company has in its sights.
Evolution of Xiaomi's EV Business
Buoyed by surging demand, Xiaomi delivered an impressive 200,000 EVs within just 119 days, largely due to the blockbuster success of its flagship model, the SU7 sedan, which hit the market in March 2024. The company initially planned to produce 60,000 units in 2024 but unexpectedly exceeded expectations, delivering over 135,000 SU7 sedans that year[1][3]. The company's EV business dropped a massive RMB 32.1 billion ( roughly USD 4.4 billion) in revenue for 2024, contributing significantly to Xiaomi's overall financial success[4].
Xiaomi fueled its EV arm with a U.S.$ 5.5 billion share sale, receiving a warm welcome from investors. This cash injection will speed up business growth and aid in cutting-edge technology development in the EV sector[2][4].
Looking Ahead
- Ramped-Up Delivery Targets: Xiaomi aims to increase its EV deliveries to 350,000 units by 2025, rushing ahead of its initial plan of 300,000 units. This ambitious goal reflects robust market demand and the upcoming arrival of new models[1][3].
- Model Diversification: You'll soon see Xiaomi's second model, the YU7 SUV, take center stage, competing with none other than the Tesla Model Y in China. This new addition to the lineup is expected to meet escalating demand[1].
- International Reach: Xiaomi aspires to start exporting electric cars worldwide by 2027, expanding its horizon beyond China[4].
- Facility Expansion: Xiaomi has its sights set on enlarging the size of its second factory in Beijing and securing additional land for future production facilities. The company has even got its eyes on a 52-hectare plot in southern Beijing for the third phase of its auto factory[2][4].
- Xiaomi has announced various positions for vocational training, focusing on design, aerodynamics, and other relevant fields, as part of its community policy for the expansion of its R&D center dedicated to electric vehicles.
- The newly announced vocational training positions at Xiaomi's R&D center are linked to its efforts in the automotive sector, following the success of its electric vehicle business and the announcement of ambitious delivery targets for 2025.
- In addition to the ongoing development of its electric vehicles, it has been reported that Xiaomi is considering vocational training in the EV sector for its workforce, potentially including individuals with experience in the automotive industry, such as engineers from brands like Xiaomi's current collaborator, BMW.
