Xiaomi has recently established an automotive research and development (R&D) center in Germany as the tech giant plans to expand to “global markets within the next few years.”
According to Chinese media outlet 36Kr, the R&D center in Munich has “fewer than 50 employees”, primarily consisting of “management and business experts.”
The team in Germany is allegedly developing Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Nürburgring Limited Edition and will do performance tuning work for the brand’s subsequent models, including the upcoming SUV YU7.
Rudolf Dittrich, a former BMW veteran, is currently the head of Xiaomi’s R&D Center in Europe. According to his LinkedIn page, Dittrich has been working in the brand’s center since last year.
Global Expansion
Late last year, Xiaomi began preparing for international expansion, with 36Kr reporting that the company set up a task force and started hiring for roles like market research. The Chinese outlet stated that Spain, Germany, and France were among the first countries for the upcoming expansion.
Approached by 36Kr, Xiaomi confirmed the existence of the European R&D center but denied having a European sales system in place.
In early March, the company’s president William Lu told CNBC he was “excited to tell global users that Xiaomi will be releasing EVs for the sale in global markets within the next few years.”
SU7 Ultra
In late February, as the tech giant launched the Ultra variant of its debut model SU7, it announced optional configurations such as a Racing Package and the Nürburgring Edition.
During the event, Xiaomi’s co-founder and CEO Lei Jun said the Nürburgring Limited Edition would be priced at 814,900 yuan — equivalent to $111,800.
Late last year, CEO Lei Jun stated that SU7 Ultra has set a record lap time at Germany’s Nürburgring track — which has put cars to the test since 1927.
“6’46″874, an officially certified lap time by Nürburgring,” the chief executive said on a post published on X, adding that the model is “the fastest four-door car in Nürburgring Nordschleife history.”
China R&D Centers in EU
Xiaomi is not the first Chinese brand to open a R&D center in Munich. Nio established its design headquarters just outside the Bavarian city in June 2015.
The Shanghai-based EV maker currently has six R&D centers spread across China (Shanghai and Beijing), Germany (Munich and Berlin), the United States (California) and the UAE (Dubai).
Avatr — the joint venture between Changan, CATL, and Huawei — established a 2,000 square meter global design center in Munich in early 2021. There, the team led by the chief design officer Nader Faghihzadeh is responsible for all design developments, from interior to exterior.
At the beginning of this year, Li Auto also selected Munich for its first overseas R&D center, adding to its existing research facilities in Beijing and Shanghai.
