Xiaomi's CEO criticizes the YU7 in a livestream due to safety issues and aims for a delivery target of 550,000 by 2026.

      On Saturday, Xiaomi's CEO Lei Jun conducted the company's first livestream of 2026, during which he disassembled a Xiaomi YU7 vehicle to address public concerns and showcase its build quality. The nearly five-hour event garnered significant attention from viewers in China.

      Lei mentioned that Xiaomi had previously adopted a low-key approach to addressing controversies, believing that their high-quality products would naturally prove their worth. However, after receiving increasing feedback from users, the company has chosen to respond more directly and swiftly to issues. He pointed out that this teardown was the initial step in that initiative.

      Lei also invited independent reviewers to perform their own teardowns of Xiaomi vehicles, urging for fair and balanced evaluations instead of exaggerated criticisms aimed at attracting online views.

      Engineers carried out a live teardown of a green Xiaomi YU7 standard model that had been produced in December 2025, methodically taking the vehicle apart down to its bare body shell. The process started with the removal of the four doors and two hoods, followed by the disassembly of interior and exterior components, the chassis and electric drivetrain, and then the front compartment, thermal management system, instrument panel, and wiring harness.

      The teardown provided an in-depth look at critical structures, such as the YU7’s integrated die-cast body, door side-impact beams, and the configuration of its electric powertrain. To address safety worries regarding the door handles, Xiaomi engineers stated that the YU7 features mechanical pull cables for both the interior and exterior handles. In the event of severe collisions, even if both the main and auxiliary batteries malfunction, a specialized backup power source enables the door locks to operate on independent power and mechanical control. This allows the doors to be opened mechanically from outside, while the interior handles remain functional at all times, they noted.

      Xiaomi's chief vehicle designer, Li Tianyuan, commented that the YU7’s elongated front-end design embodies the essence of automotive proportions. He referred to the long hood as a signature of a century's worth of industrial design aesthetics, highlighting that it also enhances front trunk space and creates a collision buffer zone.

      During the livestream, Lei Jun stated that the company had delivered over 410,000 vehicles in 2025 and set a goal of 550,000 for 2026. According to Lei, Xiaomi is working on 2,400 MPa ultra-high-strength steel to improve its product competitiveness. The livestream aimed to showcase the company’s commitment to public scrutiny and transparency.

      Jessie Wu is a technology reporter based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. You can reach her via email at [email protected].