Xiaomi SU7 vs. Porsche’s China Slump

 Xiaomi’s rapid entry into EVs—going from public commitment (2021) to deliveries (2024)—captures the speed of China’s auto transition. The SU7 launched in March 2024 and, by year-end, cumulative deliveries had cleared roughly the 130,000 mark, signaling genuine product-market fit rather than a short-lived preorder surge.

What made SU7 click?

At a product level, SU7 blends credible performance with software-first UX. Its 800-volt electrical architecture with silicon-carbide power electronics enables high-rate fast charging; Xiaomi’s Pilot ADAS stack and the broader “Human × Car × Home” ecosystem extend the experience beyond the vehicle—linking car, phone, and smart home through HyperOS. This “device-to-ecosystem” logic, familiar from smartphones, now defines expectations in China’s premium segments.

Why Porsche stumbled in China

Porsche’s brand remains powerful, but 2024 China deliveries fell 28% year-on-year to 56,887 units, dragging global deliveries down 3% to 310,718. The company highlighted a tougher macro backdrop in China, but beneath the macro lies a structural shift: Chinese buyers are rewarding software-defined vehicles (SDVs) with rapid update cycles, deep ecosystem integration, and aggressive performance-per-yuan.

The premiumization of Chinese brands

“Premium” in China is no longer a badge-plus-leather formula; it’s:

  • Spec leadership that matters daily (charging speed, driver-assist competence, cabin displays, voice/UI latency).

  • Ecosystem lock-in (apps, devices, services that travel with the driver).

  • Fast iteration (quarterly feature drops vs. multi-year refreshes).

Xiaomi’s playbook hits these points, while pricing undercuts legacy imports with comparable or better perceived capability—especially for younger customers who value OTA evolution and digital services as much as powertrain pedigree.

What it means for legacy luxury

For Porsche (and other German marques), the path forward in China likely requires:

  1. China-paced software: shorter release cycles, localized features, and seamless phone–home–car integration.

  2. Charging & thermal excellence: match or beat 800-V SiC systems in real-world speed and durability.

  3. Portfolio realism: align trims and price ladders with China’s EV price bands without diluting brand equity.

  4. Local co-development: deeper China R&D ties to accelerate UX and ADAS tuning for dense, urban contexts.

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About the Author: Drytree

About the Author: Drytree (Jaehoon Lee) I am a senior researcher specializing in deep tech startups, technology commercialization, and R&BD strategy at a national research institute in South Korea. With a deep curiosity about the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on society, I have been writing under the pen name Drytree since 2021, aiming to make complex technological trends more accessible and foster informed discussions on innovation and policy. My academic background is diverse, spanning Political Science (B.A.), International Politics (M.A.), and currently, a Ph.D. in Technology Management & Entrepreneurship . I have published 13 academic papers in domestic and international journals, covering topics such as patent analysis, technology security, and industrial policy . Books & Publications I have authored several books exploring technology, startups, and geopolitical implications of innovation , including: Elon Musk’s DOGE: The Dawn of a New Economic Exper...
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