– Xiaomi founder Lei Jun (雷军) hosted a delayed New Year live stream, featuring an on-site dismantling of the YU7 SUV to address industry critiques and demonstrate build quality.
– The company reported strong 2025 performance, with annual deliveries exceeding 410,000 vehicles and December monthly deliveries surpassing 50,000 for the first time.
– Lei Jun called for fair commentary from media and influencers, criticizing exaggerated or fault-finding content for流量 (traffic) and pledging action against黑水军 (black PR).
– Xiaomi addressed the industry practice of小字营销 (fine print marketing), vowing to improve transparency while complying with advertising regulations.
– The YU7 model, launched in June 2025, has delivered over 150,000 units in six months, playing a key strategic role in Xiaomi’s automotive expansion.
Lei Jun’s Live Stream: A Transparent Response to Market Skepticism
The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market is no stranger to intense scrutiny, but few executives have taken transparency to the level of Xiaomi Group (小米集团) founder and chairman Lei Jun (雷军). In a highly anticipated live stream that kicked off 2026, Lei Jun directly confronted the wave of质疑 (skepticism) facing Xiaomi Auto (小米汽车) by overseeing the real-time dismantling of a Xiaomi YU7 SUV. This move wasn’t just a technical showcase; it was a strategic plea for balanced discourse in an industry where sensationalism often overshadows substance. For global investors monitoring China’s automotive sector, this event underscores the critical importance of fair commentary in shaping brand perception and, ultimately, market valuation.
The Delayed Broadcast and Its Symbolic Timing
Originally scheduled for December 31, 2025, the live stream was postponed due to Lei Jun’s severe感冒 (cold), rescheduling to January 3, 2026. In a lighthearted remark on his微博 (Weibo), Lei Jun noted that this accidental delay made it “2026’s first major live stream,” setting a tone of resilience. The delay itself became a metaphor for Xiaomi’s automotive journey—sometimes slower than anticipated, but persistently moving forward. This transparency about setbacks is rare among automotive leaders and highlights Lei Jun’s personal investment in fostering trust. The live stream’s commencement with an apology emphasized humility, a trait that resonates with consumers and investors alike in China’s competitive EV landscape.
A Vocal Appeal for Balanced Media Coverage
Central to Lei Jun’s message was a call for公道话 (fair speech). He openly addressed the “various质疑 (doubts) that have overwhelmed us over the past half-year,” stating that the team had been left somewhat stunned. Lei Jun urged commentators to avoid故意夸大 (deliberate exaggeration) or故意找茬 (intentional fault-finding) for the sake of流量 (traffic). “I hope everyone will speak一些公道话 (some fair words),” he reiterated, stressing that misleading content violates not only ethics but also the law. This focus on fair commentary is crucial for investors, as biased media narratives can artificially inflate or deflate stock prices, impacting decisions in volatile markets like Chinese equities. Lei Jun’s stance signals Xiaomi’s commitment to combating misinformation, which could stabilize investor confidence amid industry rumors.
Deconstructing the Xiaomi YU7: Engineering Under the Microscope
The live stream’s core involved a detailed dismantling of a宝石绿色 (gemstone green) Xiaomi YU7标准版 (standard edition) that rolled off the production line in December 2025. Inspired by a prior拆解 (dismantling) video from易车 (Bitauto), this hands-on approach aimed to validate the vehicle’s quality publicly. Xiaomi Auto vice president Li Xiaoshuang (李肖爽) outlined a four-step process: removing doors and panels, stripping interior and exterior trim, disassembling the底盘 (chassis) and三电系统 (three-electric system), and finally, exposing the白车身 (bare body). Each stage was designed to showcase structural integrity and innovation, reinforcing the company’s engineering prowess. For automotive analysts, such transparency provides tangible data points for assessing competitive advantages, from safety features to material costs.
Design Philosophy and Safety Innovations Revealed
During the dismantling, Xiaomi Auto chief designer Li Tianyuan (李田原) explained the rationale behind the YU7’s长车头 (long hood) design. He cited it as a百年工业设计 (century-old industrial design) aesthetic that enhances proportions and functionality. Lei Jun added practical benefits, such as increased前备箱空间 (frunk space) and extended碰撞缓冲区 (crash buffer zones), which improve safety. The team also highlighted specific safety redundancies, like mechanical cables for door handles and dedicated power sources for locks in极端碰撞 (extreme collisions). Perhaps most notably, they demonstrated the 25%偏置碰撞 (25% offset collision) test, where the YU7 employs a丢轮保车 (wheel detachment to protect the cabin) strategy. This technique, involving angled横梁 (beams) and副车架 (subframes), redirects impact forces to minimize A-pillar stress—a detail that underscores Xiaomi’s focus on passive safety, a key consideration for regulators and consumers alike.
Responding to Critique with Technical Proof
Lei Jun acknowledged that some bloggers initially approached Xiaomi vehicles with a挑毛病 (fault-finding) mindset but were swayed by the quality upon inspection. He welcomed further independent拆解 (dismantlings), reiterating his hope for公道话 (fair commentary). This open invitation is a bold move in an industry where proprietary designs are often guarded. By inviting scrutiny, Xiaomi aims to build credibility through verifiable evidence, which can reassure investors concerned about long-term reliability and warranty costs. The live stream effectively turned potential criticism into a platform for education, demonstrating how fair commentary can foster informed market assessments rather than speculative noise.
Xiaomi YU7’s Market Performance and Strategic Role
Launched on June 26, 2025, the Xiaomi YU7 SUV was positioned as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y (特斯拉 Model Y), with a starting price of 253,500元 (CNY), undercutting its rival by 10,000元 (CNY). Its上市 (launch) saw remarkable pre-order numbers: 200,000大定 (non-refundable orders) within three minutes and 289,000 within one hour, though subsequent锁单量 (locked orders) of 240,000 in 18 hours were disclosed to address skepticism. In its first six months, YU7交付 (deliveries) exceeded 150,000 units, 2.3 times the同期 (same-period) rate of the SU7 sedan. This performance is critical for Xiaomi Auto’s scale-up phase, as SUV segments dominate China’s EV market. For fund managers, YU7’s traction indicates successful product diversification, reducing reliance on a single model and mitigating investment risk.
YU7 as Xiaomi’s Automotive Lifeline
Lei Jun revealed that the YU7 was conceived as a backup plan during the SU7’s development in 2022, when纯电轿车 (pure-electric sedans) faced weak demand. “If the SU7 failed, YU7 was our最后底牌 (final trump card),” he stated, highlighting its strategic importance. Prior to launch, Xiaomi engineers拆解学习 (dismantled and studied) three Model Y units, emphasizing a learning-driven approach. The YU7’s resilience under scrutiny, as Lei Jun noted, has helped it “扛住 (withstand)”放大镜 (magnifying glass) examinations from media and users. This narrative of adaptive strategy resonates with investors looking for companies that can pivot in dynamic markets, a trait essential for survival in China’s EV sector amid regulatory shifts and consumer trends.
2025 in Review: Xiaomi Auto’s Delivery Triumphs and Scaling Ambitions
Xiaomi Auto’s 2025 performance metrics, disclosed during the live stream, paint a picture of rapid growth. December 2025 marked a milestone with月度交付量 (monthly deliveries) exceeding 50,000 vehicles for the first time, following three consecutive months above 40,000. This placed Xiaomi second among造车新势力 (new EV makers) for the month, trailing only零跑汽车 (Leapmotor) and ahead of蔚来 (NIO),理想汽车 (Li Auto), and小鹏汽车 (XPeng). Annually, the company delivered over 410,000 vehicles in 2025, surpassing its revised target of 350,000 and initial goal of 300,000. Cumulatively, since April 3, 2024, Xiaomi Auto has delivered over 500,000 units, achieving规模化 (scale) that enhances cost efficiencies and supply chain leverage. For institutional investors, these figures validate Xiaomi’s execution capability, a key driver for equity valuation in capital-intensive industries.
Breaking Barriers and Expanding Infrastructure
The突破5万辆 (breakthrough of 50,000 monthly deliveries) is not just a number; it reflects operational maturity. Xiaomi Group president Lu Weibing (卢伟冰) had previously announced at the小米17 Ultra (Xiaomi 17 Ultra) launch that 2025 deliveries exceeded 350,000, with cumulative deliveries over 500,000 by late December. To support this growth, Xiaomi Auto is aggressively expanding its销售服务网络 (sales and service network). As of December 31, 2025, it operated 477 sales outlets in 138 cities and 264 service网点 (points) across 151 cities, with plans to add 9 new stores in January 2026. This infrastructure build-out is crucial for sustaining delivery momentum and improving customer experience, factors that directly influence brand loyalty and repeat purchase rates—key metrics for long-term investor returns.
Navigating Media Scrutiny and Evolving Industry Practices
Beyond product specifics, Lei Jun’s live stream tackled broader industry challenges, including marketing ethics and online reputation management. He denounced小字营销 (fine print marketing), where disclaimers are added in small print to comply with广告法 (Advertising Law) but can mislead consumers. Xiaomi集团董事长特别助理、战略市场部副总经理徐洁云 (Xiaomi Group chairman’s special assistant and deputy general manager of strategic marketing department, Xu Jieyun) admitted that this was an行业常见的惯例 (industry common practice) focused on legal compliance, but acknowledged it忽略感受 (ignored user feelings). Xiaomi pledged to reform this approach, emphasizing transparency. This commitment to ethical marketing aligns with global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) trends, potentially enhancing Xiaomi’s appeal to socially responsible investors who prioritize corporate governance in their portfolios.
Combating Black PR and Upholding Brand Integrity
Lei Jun also addressed the issue of黑水军 (black PR), vowing to认真举报投诉 (seriously report and complain) against malicious attacks. He encouraged小米车主 (Xiaomi car owners) to report harassment in community forums, with company support for维权 (rights protection). This proactive stance on digital governance is vital in China, where online sentiment can swiftly impact sales and stock prices. By advocating for fair commentary and legal action against defamation, Xiaomi aims to create a more stable information environment. For investors, this reduces the risk of brand value erosion from unfounded rumors, contributing to more predictable equity performance. The call for公道话 (fair speech) thus extends beyond media to encompass all stakeholders, fostering a ecosystem where truthful feedback drives improvement rather than conflict.
Synthesizing Insights for the Road Ahead
Lei Jun’s live stream was more than a product demonstration; it was a multifaceted strategy session addressing quality assurance, market communication, and operational scale. The key takeaways are clear: Xiaomi Auto is achieving delivery scale at an impressive pace, with the YU7 SUV solidifying its market position. The emphasis on fair commentary highlights the company’s awareness of media’s power in shaping investment narratives. Looking forward, Xiaomi’s focus on transparency—from dismantling cars to reforming marketing—signals a maturation phase that could mitigate risks in China’s volatile EV sector. As the company continues to expand its network and refine its models, investors should monitor not just delivery numbers but also sentiment indicators and regulatory compliance, which are increasingly tied to sustainable growth.
For market participants, the call to action is to engage with verified data and balanced analysis. In an era of信息过载 (information overload), distinguishing between substantiated reports and sensationalized content is crucial for making informed decisions in Chinese equities. Xiaomi’s journey underscores that fair commentary isn’t just an ethical ideal; it’s a practical necessity for market stability and investor confidence. As the EV race accelerates, those who prioritize accuracy over hype will likely navigate the twists and turns with greater resilience, much like the YU7 in its collision tests.