Xiaomi to build EV plant in Beijing – Capable of producing 300k vehicles annually

Smartphone giant, Xiaomi is very committed to jump into the electric vehicle (EV) market so much so that it will be building a new plant located in Beijing.

Authorities from the Chinese government-backed economic development agency, Beijing E-Town, made the announcement on its official WeChat account on Saturday, 27-Nov. The plant is said to be able to produce 300,000 vehicles annually and will be constructed in two phases.

Just for comparison, Proton’s very own Tanjung Malim plant is capable of producing up to 150,000 units, half of Xiaomi’s projected production figures.

Xiaomi has announced back in March that it would be investing USD 10 billion in a new EV division over the next 10 years. The tech giant has completed the business registration of its EV unit in late August.

Also read: Smartphone margins too little, Xiaomi plans to make EVs

Aside from the new-fangled plant, Xiaomi will also build its auto unit’s headquarters, sales, and research offices in the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone. Xiaomi Automobiles is expected to launch its first model by 2024 and currently has employed around 300 people, a lean number much like its successful smartphone division.

Also read: After Mi Robot, a driverless Xiaomi electric car will soon be a reality

Tech companies like Sony and Apple have been hinting their interests in joining the EV market but it seems that Chinese tech giants are charging ahead of their international rivals in mass-producing EVs.

Also read: After Xiaomi and Huawei, Oppo too is jumping into the automotive scene!

Besides Xiaomi, Huawei has also expressed interest in the EV market and is expected to launch its first model, the AVATR 11 in 2022. The electric SUV is a collaboration between Changan Automobile, battery maker CATL, and Huawei.

Also read: Huawei joins the automotive world with Avatar Technologies; First car to launch end-2021