Xiaomi is moving, coming off a debut that was nothing short of brilliant in the automotive sector, which saw the brand still known to most as a Chinese producer of various hi-tech devices (mostly smartphones and tablets), struggling to keep up with pre-orders. Instead, the Beijing Big Tech intends to increasingly dominate the automotive sector and does so by keeping the Old Continent in front of the hood.
XIAOMI DEBUTS IN EUROPE
As reported by Carnewschina, Xiaomi has inaugurated its research and development center in the heart of Europe, in Munich, Germany, when there should be about six months left until its official debut in our market. Germany will therefore also be the first country of arrival for premium electric cars made in China.
TALENTS POACHED FROM RIVALS
It has not escaped industry outlets that the team assembled by Xiaomi is made up of numerous engineers and designers who come from BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Mercedes-Benz. Starting with the director, Rudolf Dittrich, who previously worked for about 15 years at BMW, particularly involved in the M4 GT3 project.
Claus-Dieter Groll, head of the vehicle dynamics department, also comes from BMW. Groll has worked on several models of the Munich-based company, including the 3 Series, 4 Series, Z4, X5, X6, and X7. Also from BMW are Kai Langer, Liu Chengqing, and Simon Schmitt.
Fabian Schmölz-Obermeier comes from Lamborghini, while Jean-Arthur Madelaine and Julien Cueff previously worked at Mercedes.
CHINESE HEART, EUROPEAN STYLE
The center currently has about 50 employees and has already worked on the Yu7 GT, a high-performance version of the Yu7 SUV (a model that not coincidentally recalls the Ferrari Purosangue). The clear goal is to create cars equipped with Chinese technology but with an appeal that can satisfy refined European tastes.
