Xiaomi’s latest electrical SUV, the YU7, has reignited debate over design originality in China’s social media—a problem that additionally surrounded its earlier SU7 sedan. The most recent controversy was sparked by a put up from Ai Tiecheng, former head of Nio’s sub-brand Onvo, who wrote on Weibo, “Entrepreneurs and customers ought to help originality.” Although Ai later claimed his remark was not directed on the auto sector, many took it as a pointed critique of Xiaomi’s design technique.
Ai has just lately positioned himself as a proponent of homegrown innovation, stating earlier this month that “firms constructed on imitation gained’t obtain longevity.” These remarks and his previous reward for Nio’s design efforts have led many to invest that he was alluding to Xiaomi’s automobiles, which have ceaselessly drawn comparisons to high-end international fashions.
The controversy intensified when Ferrari China showcased its Purosangue SUV in Verde Dora inexperienced on their official Weibo account, a basic color chosen by Enzo Ferrari six many years in the past. On the similar time, Xiaomi unveiled its YU7 in a strikingly related emerald hue. Whereas Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun clarified that Colombian emeralds impressed the color, netizens had been fast to nickname the YU7 “Ferrari Mi”—a nod to the sooner “Porsche Mi” nickname for the SU7 sedan.
The visible similarities sparked a wave of on-line humour, with some netizens jokingly thanking Lei Jun for “bringing Ferrari to the plenty.” Others identified that the controversy had unexpectedly boosted Ferrari’s visibility. The Purosangue has gone viral in China, rating simply behind the Xiaomi YU7, Deepal S09, and Xiaomi SU7 in on-line reputation.
Including one other layer to the dialog, some Chinese language netizens identified that the Ferrari Purosangue shares notable design similarities with Mazda CX-4 (2016). In the meantime, Toyota’s Crown Sport has usually been dubbed the “Japanese Ferrari” for its styling. These comparisons led to playful hypothesis on-line that Mazda may be the true stylistic originator behind as we speak’s sporty EV traits.
This isn’t Xiaomi’s first encounter with design comparisons. When the SU7 drew parallels to Porsche’s Taycan, Porsche China’s CEO provided a diplomatic response about nice minds pondering alike. Lei Jun has constantly maintained that Xiaomi’s designs are wholly unique, fastidiously contemplating every factor.
Regardless of criticism, the SU7 achieved sturdy gross sales, outperforming the Tesla Mannequin 3 and BYD Han in China’s premium EV phase. Lei Jun introduced that Xiaomi has delivered over 258,000 models of the SU7 throughout the firm’s fifteenth anniversary occasion. Now, the highlight is on the YU7. Whether or not the “Ferrari Mi” label enhances or complicates its market reception stays to be seen.
