Lead

Xiaomi is staging a dramatic comeback in the automotive industry. Recently, Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi Cars, revealed at a press conference that Xiaomi will soon launch an end-to-end intelligent driving system and expects to initiate targeted closed beta testing by the end of November. This is another significant announcement following the hot sales of Xiaomi SU7. After catching up with other emerging automakers in the field of electrification, Xiaomi Cars now aims to conquer the high ground of intelligent driving.

Author|Heyan Yueche Studio

Writer|Cai Jialun

Editor|He Zi

Total Words: 1749

Reading Time: 3 Minutes

Why is Xiaomi Cars, which has just gained a foothold, eager to initiate end-to-end large model testing? Xiaomi understands the importance of 'electrification being the first half, and intelligence being the second half.' With the end of the electrification era, the race for intelligence has begun.

△ Xiaomi Cars Fully Joins the Intelligent Driving Battle

Xiaomi Cars Aims to Create Miracles

Compared to established automakers like NIO, Xpeng, and Li Auto, Xiaomi Cars' development has been like a rocket. Since its inception in 2021, it has evolved from a mere blueprint and model to a tangible mass-produced model in just three years. The development speed and sales performance of Xiaomi SU7 demonstrate Xiaomi Cars' strength and Lei Jun's top-tier marketing strategy. The success of Xiaomi SU7 sales has left many new automakers in disbelief. Recently, Xiaomi Cars announced its October sales figures, with over 20,000 Xiaomi SU7s delivered, expected to surpass the annual delivery target of 100,000 units in November ahead of schedule.

No other new automaker has grown as rapidly as Xiaomi Cars. Interestingly, the Xiaomi SU7, previously hailed as an internet celebrity car by many consumers, is not a flash in the pan but remains in high demand after half a year. Although the Xiaomi SU7 is a popular model with high traffic and heat conversion, it is a product of a complete industrial chain ecosystem. Lei Jun's personal charisma also inspires loyalty among Xiaomi users. Top-tier marketing coupled with precise cost control explains the Xiaomi SU7's popularity. However, Xiaomi SU7 also faces challenges, with current production capacity nearing its limit amidst rising orders, making delivery a significant issue.

△ High Traffic Internet Celebrity Car Xiaomi SU7 Orders Remain Strong

Xiaomi Cars Involved in the Intelligence Race

Brief success does not ease the pressure on Xiaomi Cars. Capacity issues remain urgent, and the full-scale competition in intelligent driving technology has drawn Xiaomi Cars into an unprecedented preparatory battle. Among the promising new automakers, high-level intelligent driving technology has already achieved some success. Take Xpeng as an example; from early highway piloting to urban piloting and now end-to-end technology, Xpeng has always been ahead of other automakers. Although it did not excel in sales, Xpeng's self-developed autonomous driving technology has always been at the forefront. This year, Xpeng introduced high-level intelligent driving technology to the 150,000-yuan market segment, further expanding its market share.

Other new automakers are not to be outdone. Jiyue, backed by Baidu, has implemented a high-level solution combining pure vision and end-to-end large models. IM Motors became the first domestic automaker to officially announce the implementation of a 'one-stop end-to-end' system. Recently, Li Auto fully rolled out its 'end-to-end plus VLM visual language model.' Meanwhile, traditional automakers like BYD are also accelerating their intelligent transformation. In the past two years, BYD's intelligent driving department has expanded its staff by nearly a hundred times and invested heavily to improve its intelligent driving capabilities. Therefore, Xiaomi Cars now faces immense pressure. As automakers successively announce the implementation of 'end-to-end large models,' Xiaomi Cars' ability to achieve end-to-end intelligent driving this year will determine its future product competitiveness, influencing subsequent product planning and business layout.

In September this year, Xiaomi Cars internally announced a new round of organizational restructuring within its intelligent driving team, officially merging the 'Perception' and 'Planning and Control' departments into the 'End-to-End Algorithm and Function Department.' Prior to this, Xiaomi's City NOA had just been rolled out, supporting only ten cities, while other automakers already offered nationwide coverage. For Xiaomi Cars, losing the high ground in intelligent driving is dangerous. If it fails to keep up with the industry pace, it may eventually lose a significant portion of the market.

△ How Long Until Xiaomi's End-to-End Large Model Enters Mass Production?

Can Xiaomi Prevail in the End?

Judging from Xiaomi Cars' current performance in intelligent driving, it still has the opportunity to catch up. First, in terms of intelligent driving research and development speed, Xiaomi has accomplished in three and a half years what Xpeng did in five. Currently employing a three-pronged strategy, Xiaomi is catching up in high-speed NOA, nationwide mapless navigation, and end-to-end technology. The key to realizing end-to-end large model implementation lies in AI technology. Xiaomi's AI lab was established eight years ago, boasting a strong AI team and numerous patents in the field of artificial intelligence. Additionally, Xiaomi's intelligent driving is supported by powerful computing power, thanks to the early layout of Xiaomi's big data supercomputing center. In terms of data, Xiaomi's ecological advantages are also evident, as an internet company directly involved in car manufacturing has an edge over Huawei, Baidu, and others.

△ Xiaomi Intelligent Driving Has Unique Advantages

Commentary

Xiaomi's intelligent driving plan aims to reach the first-tier level by the end of this year. Although we do not doubt Lei Jun's determination and perseverance in the automotive industry, strengthening the foundation in a short time requires a more robust team and richer data. Moreover, achieving safe intelligent driving cannot be rushed.

(This article is originally created by Heyan Yueche and may not be reproduced without authorization)