Xiaomi Evs Coming To Australia, But Prepare To Wait

Electric cars from Chinese technology giant Xiaomi that have surged up the sales charts in their home market are shaping up for Australian showrooms in 2028.

The world’s third-largest seller of smartphones turned to cars three years ago, and has found success with its Porsche Taycan-esque SU7 sedan and Ferrari Purosangue-copycat YU7 SUV.

Amid a decline in the Chinese new-car market, Xiaomi is turning its attention to export markets – and Australia is now all but confirmed to sit on the list.

Xiaomi has begun hiring for Sydney-based positions to lead its “Australian automotive business”, including executives to provide legal advice on local regulations, and establish a financing arm.

MORE: China’s Xiaomi beats Porsche, breaks electric vehicle lap record at Nurburgring

Arrival timing for the brand is yet to be confirmed, but it reportedly advised investors earlier this year of plans to enter right-hand-drive markets from the first half of 2028.

Drive has contacted Xiaomi for comment.

Ahead of its first sales in right-hand drive, Xiaomi is due to enter left-hand-drive European markets – led by the largest, Germany – from the second half of 2027.

It is expected to include its two electric vehicles, the SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV, which broadly compete with the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, respectively.

MORE: Ferrari Purosangue on a budget? Xiaomi launches YU7 SUV with supercar performance

The Chinese giant has also launched two conventionally styled SUVs in its home market, the Skynomad N70 and N90, which add petrol engines as range extenders to charge the battery and power electric motors.

According to overseas reports, Xiaomi plans to focus on “mid-to-high-end” models at higher prices for export before moving into cheaper segments, rather than starting with budget-priced cars and pushing ‘upmarket’.

It is the reverse of the strategy adopted by the likes of BYD, MG, and Chery in Europe and Australia.

MORE: Xiaomi SU7 Ultra makes history as first Chinese car in Gran Turismo

The line-up is crowned by the SU7 Ultra, which produces 1138kW from three electric motors, good for 0-100km/h in a claimed 1.98 seconds, and a 350km/h top speed.

The brand has established a technical centre in Germany – and poached former BMW M engineers – to develop performance models, including the YU7 GT that has claimed the Nurburgring lap record for SUVs.

Xiaomi was China’s ninth-best-selling car brand in September, thanks to a 12th-place finish for the SU7, 30th place for the YU7, and the addition of the Skynomad range.

MORE: Xiaomi smartphone brand reveals its first SUV, a Ferrari Purosangue copycat

However, sales were down 4.6 per cent on the year prior, and Xiaomi’s automotive operations are not yet profitable.

The company lost an average of AUD$5300 for each car it delivered in the second quarter of 2026 (April to June), down from about $7960 three months earlier, but far ahead of the $800 it lost in the second quarter of 2024.

Xiaomi bundles its automotive division in with “other new initiatives” in its financial results, but it is believed its car-making efforts are the main component of the above figures.

The post Xiaomi EVs coming to Australia, but prepare to wait appeared first on Drive.