Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, has admitted to being captivated by a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) that’s caught his attention - despite not bearing a Ford badge.
The vehicle in question?
The Xiaomi SU7, a sleek sports sedan from the smartphone giant’s new EV venture, currently available only in China.
During an interview with the Fully Charged podcast, Farley revealed that he's been driving the Xiaomi SU7 for the past six months, expressing a fondness for the car that seems rare among industry leaders.
“I don’t like talking about the competition so much, but I drive the Xiaomi,” Farley admitted, highlighting his reluctance to part ways with the EV.
Ford had transported one from Shanghai to Chicago for evaluation, and since then, it’s become his go-to vehicle. "I don’t want to give it up," he added.
The Xiaomi SU7 comes in three versions, each equipped with impressive range and power.
The base model offers 220kW and a range of 700km. The mid-tier SU7 Pro boasts an extended range of 830km, while the top-tier SU7 Max delivers a staggering 495kW and an acceleration time of just 2.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.
Despite its early success, Xiaomi has struggled financially, reportedly losing around the equivalent of $15,300 per car during the first six months of the year.
Farley’s admiration for the Xiaomi SU7 reinforces his warnings about Chinese automakers being an "existential threat" to Ford, as they continue to push the envelope in the rapidly growing EV market.
Can Farley and Ford deliver the same level of quality as it navigates its own EV venture? Let's hope future models are at least as good as Xiaomi's SU7 Ultra.
As for Xiaomi, it is reportedly preparing to launch a new electric SUV model, likely before the end of the year.