In a surprising turn of events, Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley recently revealed on the Everything Electric Show podcast that his daily driver for the past six months hasn’t been a Ford at all, but a Xiaomi SU7, the electric sedan from the Chinese tech giant.
Farley, known for his focus on electrification within Ford, admitted his usual aversion to discussing competitors. However, his extended experience with the SU7 prompted him to share his thoughts.
“We flew one from Shanghai to Chicago and I’ve been driving it for six months now, and I don’t want to give it up,” Farley said on the podcast.
“It’s fantastic. They sell 10,000, 20,000 a month. They’re sold out for six months,” Farley said of Xiaomi’s success with the SU7 earlier in the interview.
Xiaomi SU7 is the company’s first car!
Xiaomi, primarily known for its dominance in the smartphone and consumer electronics space, announced its entry into the electric vehicle market in 2021.
The SU7, their first model launched just this year, is a full-size sedan priced competitively around $30,000. Despite its affordability, the car boasts features like air suspension, adaptive dampers, and active aero – all contribute to an exciting driving experience.
Additionally, Xiaomi’s in-house Level 2 and NoA (navigate on autopilot) system offers convenience, though its certification is currently limited to 100 Chinese cities.
The SU7’s popularity in China has been nothing short of phenomenal. The entire 2024 production run reportedly sold out on the first day, with Xiaomi claiming to have pre-sold 100,000 units before the first car even rolled off the assembly line.
While sampling competitor vehicles is a common practice within the automotive industry, Farley’s effusive praise for the SU7, especially considering his reluctance to discuss competition, is noteworthy. This could signal a shift in Ford’s strategy as they navigate the increasingly crowded EV market dominated by aggressive Chinese companies like BYD.
(Source)
Comments