Xiaomi hit by new controversy as SU7 bumper warping sparks quality concerns

Xiaomi is below one other scrutiny. Its SU7 electrical sedan (see specs) is reported to have warped entrance bumpers, coinciding with China’s latest excessive climate occasions.

The difficulty surfaced on Chinese language social media, the place SU7 house owners posted photos of panel misalignments close to the headlights. Xiaomi’s investigation recognized numerous causes, together with early-production bumpers missing rigidity, inconsistent meeting gaps, and heat-induced materials enlargement. A SU7 Max mannequin proprietor famous an identical downside post-collision restore, revealing potential design limitations. Nonetheless, Xiaomi confirmed its premium Extremely variant, utilizing upgraded supplies, stays unaffected.

Xiaomi affords a free restore program by way of its hotline and app to handle the difficulty. Most fixes take round an hour, and a few are eligible for on-site service by cell groups.

In the meantime, Xiaomi has issued security tips for SU7 house owners going through excessive climate, advising drivers to tug over safely with hazard lights throughout hail or heavy rain and keep away from sheltering below bushes. Claims for weather-related injury may be filed rapidly by way of the Xiaomi Auto app with China’s main insurers like Ping An and PICC, with responses usually in minutes. A 24/7 roadside help service can also be out there throughout mainland China for emergencies.

Rising pains of a tech big turned carmaker

In latest months, Xiaomi has confronted controversy after controversy. These challenges come throughout a pivotal second for Xiaomi, which CEO Lei Jun has referred to as the hardest interval in its 15-year historical past. The bumper problem joins a listing of early hurdles, together with debates over SU7 Extremely’s efficiency restrictions and twin air duct.

Analysts view Xiaomi’s state of affairs as typical for tech companies getting into the auto area: “Tesla confronted related issues in its early days. The secret is how Xiaomi learns and adapts.” SU7 house owners, too, are displaying persistence. “My neighbour’s 2014 Mannequin S had worse gaps,” one proprietor shared on Weibo. “The true take a look at is how an organization responds.”