Ford CEO Jim Farley has revealed that he’s been driving a Chinese-made Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle for several months and doesn’t want to give it up, underscoring the growing gap between Western and Chinese automakers in electric vehicle (EV) technology.
In an interview on the Everything Electric Show, Farley described his experiences in the Chinese auto market as ‘epiphanies’ and praised the Xiaomi SU7 for its innovation. “I drive a Xiaomi. We flew one from Shanghai to Chicago, and I’ve been driving it for six months now. I don’t want to give it up,” he said.
Xiaomi, known for its smartphones and e-scooters, entered the electric vehicle market with the SU7 in late 2023. The EV sold out its 2024 production run within 24 hours and now has a six-month waiting list. Farley’s praise suggests the car’s popularity is well-earned.
Farley pointed out that companies like Xiaomi and Huawei are deeply integrated into China’s auto industry, blending smartphone technology with vehicle production in a way Western automakers have not matched. “In China, both Huawei and Xiaomi, the two biggest cell phone companies, are inside of every vehicle that is made,” he noted.
Farley’s comments reflect the challenges Western automakers face, especially in the U.S. and Europe, where they lag in areas like battery technology, software integration, and charging infrastructure. Reports have indicated that Chinese manufacturers are years ahead in these areas.
Due to high tariffs on Chinese auto imports, American consumers are unable to experience these advancements. Farley has previously warned that without these tariffs, Chinese manufacturers could dominate the U.S. market with better products at lower prices.
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