BAIC Group, a Beijing-based automaker, has sought approval from regulators to manufacture two electric vehicles (EVs) under the Xiaomi brand, according to China s industry ministry website. This move by Xiaomi, known for its smartphones and appliances, could intensify competition in the world s largest auto market, which has been grappling with overcapacity and slowing demand. BAIC ORV plans to produce two versions of the Xiaomi-branded model in Beijing, one with BYD s lithium iron phosphate batteries and the other with CATL s nickel- and cobalt-based lithium batteries. Both models will feature the "MI" logo and the "Xiaomi" name.
Xiaomi EV: Both models bore a "MI" logo in the front and carried the "Xiaomi" name on their rear, pictures published on the Ministry of Industry and Information s (MIIT) website showed.
CEO Lei Jun, who has said Xiaomi's foray into EVs will be his last major entrepreneurial project, posted on Saturday pictures of people holding a banner saying 'Fighting for Xiaomi Auto" on his personal Weibo social media account.