Xiaomi Cars is hiring in Sydney to set up its Australian car business, and its SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV are expected to follow in 2028. The company is the world’s third-largest smartphone seller, and it launched its first car only in 2024.
Xiaomi is hiring in Sydney
Xiaomi is recruiting Sydney-based executives for its Australian car business. The roles include legal advice on local regulations and building a financing arm, which is about as close to a confirmation as a carmaker gets before announcing a date.
When will Xiaomi cars arrive?
There is no official date. Xiaomi reportedly told investors that right-hand-drive sales are planned from the first half of 2028. Europe goes first: Germany in 2027. The cars will be imported from China, so EU tariffs on Chinese-built EVs apply.
Which models are coming?
The SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV should lead, taking on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. At home, Xiaomi also sells two petrol range-extender SUVs, the SkyNomad N70 and N90. Nobody has said whether they will be built in right-hand drive.
Premium first, cheaper later
Overseas reports say Xiaomi will export higher-priced models first and move down-market afterwards. BYD, MG and Chery did the reverse in Europe and Australia. Australian pricing has not been announced.
How fast are Xiaomi cars?
Xiaomi claims the SU7 Ultra makes 1138kW from three motors, hits 100km/h in 1.98 seconds and tops out at 350km/h. The YU7 GT makes 727kW and reaches 100km/h in 2.92 seconds. Xiaomi says it lapped the Nürburgring in 7:22.755 with the track package fitted, a record for production SUVs. Part of that work is done at a German technical centre, staffed with ex-BMW engineers.
Sales are slipping and the car division still loses money
Xiaomi was China’s ninth-best-selling car brand in September: the SU7 finished 12th and the YU7 30th. Sales were still down 4.6 per cent on a year earlier, and the car business is not yet profitable. Xiaomi lost about AUD$5300 on each car delivered in April to June 2026, an improvement on about AUD$7960 the quarter before. Cars are reported alongside other new initiatives, so those figures are estimates.
More Chinese brands are coming
Xiaomi has company on the way. Dreame is bringing cars to Australia from early 2027, well ahead of Xiaomi’s likely arrival.
