Xiaomi EV | reinvent the wheel #5

From Smartphones to Smart Cars: Xiaomi’s Next Frontier

Since its launch in 2010, Xiaomi has remained one of the most dynamic and misunderstood companies in the tech world. The Beijing-based company quickly earned acclaim with feature-rich yet affordable smartphones. Its formula combined crowd-sourced innovation, online engagement, and relentless user feedback. Within a few years, Xiaomi became a household name in China, expanded globally, and ventured into televisions, wearables, and more. Through each product, it upheld a philosophy of high quality at honest pricing—instantly resonating with cost-conscious consumers. Now, Xiaomi’s next leap into electric vehicles promises a bold new era for this ever-evolving tech pioneer.

When Lei Jun Met Elon Musk (2013): An East-Meets-West EV Moment

In 2013, Xiaomi founder Lei Jun (left) met Tesla CEO Elon Musk (right in Silicon Valley – an encounter that could have planted seeds for Xiaomi’s future electric vehicle ambitions.

In a now-iconic 2013 photograph, Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun stands alongside Elon Musk. At the time, Xiaomi was known for smartphones, while Musk’s Tesla was a rising EV disruptor. What did they discuss? By Lei Jun’s own account, he visited Musk twice that year – test-driving the Tesla Model S and quizzing Musk about technology and entrepreneurship . We can only speculate, but it’s likely their conversations spanned electric vehicles, space exploration, and the future of technology.