Xiaomi has postponed a major product launch event that was expected to unveil a new smartphone, AI glasses, tablet devices, and the YU7 electric vehicle, according to industry sources. No new date has been announced for the rescheduled event. The delay follows growing concerns tied to a fatal crash in late March involving the company's SU7 model in Anhui Province, which resulted in the deaths of three students.
Market observers believe that Xiaomi's new electric vehicle, the YU7, is on temporary hold as the company reevaluates its autonomous driving system. Local reports suggest a redesign is being considered to improve safety and may include integrating LiDAR technology, which could delay the vehicle's launch by at least a month. Xiaomi has also withdrawn the YU7 from the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show and canceled related investor engagements.
A judicial investigation into the accident is underway, with Xiaomi agreeing to provide vehicle data. Supply chain insiders point to three critical concerns emerging from the incident: a possible malfunction in the autonomous driving system that led the car to crash into a guardrail, a lithium battery that may have ignited on impact, and locked electronic doors that reportedly trapped the occupants inside the vehicle.
While the cause of death and full details remain under investigation, the case has intensified public and regulatory scrutiny of electric vehicle safety in China. The incident is sparking renewed debate over the risks posed by autonomous driving features, battery safety, and emergency escape mechanisms in EVs.
Xiaomi addressed public concern about locked doors by stating that the vehicle includes an emergency unlock function located underneath the car, and that mechanical handles can also be used if the power system fails. However, safety experts warn that in real-life emergencies, passengers may not know how to locate or operate such features. They argue that intuitive design for escape mechanisms must become a greater priority for both automakers and regulators.
Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun has remained noticeably silent on social media since the incident, underscoring the sensitivity of the situation as the company navigates both public backlash and an ongoing judicial probe.
Article translated by Jingyue Hsiao and edited by Jack Wu
