Danny Weber
12:25 30-09-2025
© Xiaomi
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun says the YU7 SUV was developed by tearing down three Tesla Model Y cars and praises the rival. 240k preorders push delivery beyond a year.
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun confirmed that, to develop the electric YU7 SUV, the company bought three Tesla Model Y vehicles and took them apart down to the last screw, studying everything from the chassis to the software. The teardown let engineers compare Tesla’s solutions—widely regarded as an industry reference—with Xiaomi’s own ideas.
What stands out is how openly Lei Jun praised a rival. He described the Model Y as an outstanding car and said those unwilling to wait for the YU7 might consider buying it instead. After preorders opened in June, the new crossover drew more than 240,000 reservations in just 24 hours. That surge now meets the hard limits of production, and delivery windows could stretch beyond a year—an honest acknowledgment that strong demand brings its own headaches.
Reverse-engineering competitors’ products has long been standard practice in both auto manufacturing and consumer electronics. Xiaomi, however, has turned it into a statement: by dismantling Tesla, the company places itself in direct contention, and Lei Jun even points shoppers to other marques, including XPeng and Li Auto. The subtext feels pragmatic—build credibility first, even if a sale sometimes goes elsewhere.