Xiaomi Expands EV Ambitions With New European R&D Center

Xiaomi is pushing deeper into the automotive space with the creation of a new European research and development center. The announcement came during the Beijing Auto Show, where CEO Lei Jun shared details about the plan and its role in strengthening the company’s car division. The new facility is built around performance engineering, premium design, and advanced vehicle tech. It is not just an expansion, it is a move to bring in global expertise and raise the level of Xiaomi’s future cars.

The center is led by Rudolf Dittrich, known for his work on the BMW M4 GT3. He is joined by Claus Dieter Groll, who heads vehicle dynamics and has worked on multiple models across BMW, including the 3 Series, 4 Series, Z4, X5, X6, and X7. The design team also pulls talent from major names like Porsche, Lamborghini, and Mercedes-Benz. This mix of backgrounds gives Xiaomi access to experience that usually sits inside long-established carmakers.

This new team is not just for future planning. It is already involved in upcoming products. The Xiaomi YU7 GT, expected to launch at the end of May, is the first model shaped by the European R&D center. According to the news, Xiaomi wants to improve driving feel, performance, and overall refinement. With input from engineers who have worked on performance and luxury vehicles, the company is trying to close the gap with more established competitors. In the long-term, it plans to be more relevant or even superior to competitors in this segment.

Setting up a European base shows where Xiaomi is heading. It is not limiting development to one region anymore. Instead, it is combining global talent to improve both design and engineering. This move signals a bigger ambition. Xiaomi is aiming to compete not just on tech, but also on driving quality and premium feel. The European R&D center is expected to play a key role in shaping that direction.