Xiaomi will not bring new YU7 to China's largest auto show, says exec

SHANGHAI: Xiaomi does not plan to showcase its upcoming YU7 electric SUV at China's largest auto show next week, deflating widespread anticipation among visitors keen to catch a glimpse of the would-be challenger to Tesla's Model Y.

Xiaomi's Vice President Li Xiaoshuang said the company would only take its SU7 and SU7 Ultra vehicles to the Shanghai auto show on social media platform Weibo today.

Asked by users about the YU7 at the show, he said it would not be featured. "Don't be anxious, when it arrives it will be in its best state," Li wrote in one of the responses.

Several industry bloggers have in the weeks leading up to the show published articles saying that the YU7 would be a highlight of the event, if it was shown.

Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun has previously said the plan was to officially launch the YU7 in June or July but has been regularly posting pictures of the SUV on his widely followed Weibo account, which has more than 26.5 million followers.

Analysts have said they expect the YU7 to be the strongest competitor in the Chinese market for Tesla's best-selling Model Y.

Xiaomi began manufacturing EVs last year with the launch of the SU7 sedan after selling smartphones, household appliances and smart gadgets for most of its 15-year history.

Since December, the SU7 sedan has outsold Tesla's Model 3 on a monthly basis.