European consumers eager for Xiaomi’s highly anticipated electric vehicles are paying a steep premium to import them years before the Chinese tech giant’s official market entry.
One such model, the Xiaomi SU7 Max, is being offered for approximately $88,000 in Germany, including taxes. This price represents more than double its original launch price of roughly $39,200 in China.
The significant price hike is largely due to import duties, transportation costs, homologation requirements, and intermediary margins. It also reflects the cost of acquiring a new product ahead of official distribution channels.
The SU7 Ultra, a more powerful variant, is similarly available for approximately $163,000, including taxes. This price also far exceeds its likely domestic market value.
The availability comes through import companies like auto-china.com, which specializes in bringing Chinese cars to Europe. This early access was first noted by the Spanish publication ForoCochesEléctricos.
Xiaomi officially entered the electric vehicle sector relatively recently. The company plans to expand its catalog to Europe, but not until 2027.
Despite this timeline, global interest in Xiaomi’s EVs is high. Ford CEO Jim Farley previously described the SU7 as “fantastic” after driving it for several months.
The SU7 Max model boasts impressive specifications. It features a twin-motor propulsion system delivering 673 horsepower. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 2.78 seconds and has a top speed of 265 kilometers per hour.
However, purchasing these vehicles through unofficial channels raises questions. Concerns remain regarding the functionality of rapid charging systems and autonomous driving features in European markets. The ultimate official pricing for Xiaomi models in Europe also remains to be seen.