Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi will delay any potential international sales of its electric vehicles until 2027, according to CEO Lei Jun, citing strong domestic demand for the company’s SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV.
Speaking during a livestream on Wednesday, Lei said Xiaomi must prioritize its operations in China for the time being. The company’s SU7 model has outperformed Tesla’s Model 3 in monthly sales since December, while its newly launched YU7 SUV has garnered significant interest, receiving over 240,000 orders within the first 18 hours of release.
See also: Xiaomi Reports 240,000 Locked-In Orders for YU7 SUV Within 18 Hours of Launch
Despite earlier hints that overseas expansion could begin as early as 2027, Xiaomi’s current production capacity is focused on fulfilling domestic orders.
The company is reportedly telling YU7 buyers that they may face wait times exceeding one year, which has prompted a wave of customer complaints.
See also: Everything You Should Know About Xiaomi YU7 Specifications
When asked about delays during the livestream, Lei reiterated efforts to scale up production but did not provide a specific timeline or additional details.
Xiaomi, which entered the EV space in 2021, is leveraging its existing brand presence in smartphones and electronics as it builds momentum in China’s competitive electric vehicle market.