Images of Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi’s first electric car recently leaked online ahead of its official debut. Images of the Xiaomi MS11 EV were leaked through a supplier, Beijing Molding Technology Co., Ltd., and now the company has decided to fine the company 1 million yuan (approximately RMB 1 million). ¥1.22 million) default.
The first leak happened on January 22, when Beijing Molding Technology accidentally leaked images of the front and rear bumpers of the MS11 EV. However, the company said the design leak was caused by a subcontractor and that the company is not responsible for the incident.
(Also read: Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi’s first electric car images leaked online
However, Xiaomi said its non-disclosure agreements with suppliers stipulated that the company would be liable for violations in such cases. In addition to the fine, the tech giant also asked Beijing Molding Technology to submit a rectification plan and upgrade its security measures to avoid such leaks in the future.
Coupé roofline, glass roof and large alloy wheels add to the electric car’s aesthetic
Xiaomi has been testing the MS11 EV for a while now, and the all-electric product is said to be in the final stages of testing. The Xiaomi MS11 will be a rival to the Tesla 3, and there are high hopes for the model that will go on sale in China first.
Some users also pointed out that the MS11 looks identical to the BYD Seal luxury electric sedan, another Chinese EV that will arrive in India later this year. The leaked images also show a glass roof on the sedan and a coupe roofline, while the rear features LED taillights joined by an LED strip running through the decklid. Other highlights include large alloy wheels, Wilwood brakes and LiDAR sensors for the promise of autonomous driving.
Also read: Xiaomi’s $10 billion car project plans could hit regulatory hurdles
No word yet on powertrain and battery options, but Xiaomi is expected to launch the MS11 EV at different price points to ensure the model is more affordable than its more expensive rivals. While the car will enter international markets at a later stage, it remains to be seen whether India is on the tech giant’s radar when it comes to its EV plans. Note that Xiaomi is still one of the largest tech companies in India with its smartphones, gadgets, home appliances, and more.
Xiaomi has announced plans to invest $10 billion in its auto business, and its car factory will open in Beijing with an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles. The Xiaomi MS11 EV will go into production in 2024.
First published date: Feb 3, 2023 at 18:56 PM CST
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