Xiaomi Founder Takes Swipe at Apple Amid Record EV Orders

Xiaomi's founder Lei Jun delivered a pointed remark about Apple's abandoned car project while celebrating staggering demand for the tech giant's new electric vehicles. Over 289,000 orders flooded in within the first hour for Xiaomi's SUV model, eclipsing even the successful launch of its SU7 sedan earlier this year.

The contrast between the two tech giants couldn't be sharper. Apple's decade-long, $10 billion autonomous vehicle endeavor collapsed, while Xiaomi's pragmatic approach—combining Tesla-inspired design with affordable pricing—has gained immediate traction. China's established EV infrastructure, including subsidies and charging networks, provided fertile ground that Apple never accessed.

Industry analysts highlight Xiaomi's unique advantages: strong brand loyalty among young consumers and an integrated ecosystem that extends seamlessly from smartphones to vehicles. Yet the road ahead remains challenging—car manufacturing presents far greater complexities than Xiaomi's Core electronics business.