Xiaomi Denies Plans for Cheaper, Weaker Electric Vehicles

Chinese technology and electronics giant Xiaomi has quelled rumors that it is planning to produce a version of its upcoming electric vehicle (EV) model with fewer features and lower cost. In a recent social media post, the company stated that it would not be offering a "丐中丐" ("Beggars amongst beggars") version of the Xiaomi SU7 EV, a term used to describe a stripped-down, basic version of a product.

The statement comes in response to growing concerns from netizens on the popular Chinese social media platform Weibo, who questioned whether Xiaomi would lower its standards in order to compete with other EV manufacturers. Xiaomi, however, assured users that it would not compromise on quality or customer experience.

"请大家放心，小米汽车内部有着充分一致的产品立项准则，'体验优先'始终放在第一位。小米SU7就是标准版，" the company said in a Weibo post (translated as: "Please rest assured, Xiaomi Auto has a unified product development guideline, and 'experience first' is always placed first. Xiaomi SU7 is the standard version.").

The response from Chinese netizens was generally positive, with many appreciating Xiaomi's commitment to offering higher-quality EVs at a competitive price. However, some expressed skepticism about Xiaomi's ability to compete in the increasingly crowded and competitive EV market without offering a cheaper model.

"新能源车市已经是卷中卷了，几无可能丐中丐，否则就会搬石头砸自己的脚，" said one user, referring to the intense competition in the Chinese EV market (translated as: "The new energy vehicle market is already very competitive. It's almost impossible to have a stripped version, otherwise you'll be shooting yourself in the foot.").

Despite these concerns, Xiaomi remains confident that it can differentiate itself from competitors by focusing on innovative design and superior user experience, without compromising on price. The company is currently working on its first EV model, the Xiaomi SU7, which is expected to have a range of advanced features and a competitive price point.

However, some industry experts have raised concerns about Xiaomi's ability to generate profits from its EV venture, given the company's historical focus on hardware sales with minimal profit margins. "雷军之前承诺，'小米硬件综合净利润率，永远不会超过5%'，如果用这个模式干汽车，死路一条，" said one expert, referring to Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun's previous promise to keep hardware profits low (translated as: "Lei Jun once promised that the comprehensive net profit margin of Xiaomi's hardware will never exceed 5%. If you use this model for cars, it's a dead end,").

Nonetheless, Xiaomi is forging ahead with its plans, focusing on building a strong brand reputation and customer loyalty in the EV market. The company has also announced plans to expand its product range beyond the SU7 model, with the possibility of launching additional models catering to different customer segments in the future.

In conclusion, Xiaomi's recent statement on its EV development plans highlights the company's commitment to offering quality products and an excellent user experience, even in a highly competitive market. While some industry experts remain skeptical about Xiaomi's ability to generate profits from its EV venture, the company's focus on innovation and customer satisfaction will likely play a key role in shaping its success in the rapidly growing EV market.