In the smartphone world, Xiaomi is considered by some to be the “Apple of China” due to its devices’ features and overall quality. And with the launch of the Xiaomi SU7, it appears that the smartphone giant is also looking to achieve the title of “Tesla of China.”
At a launch event in Beijing, Xiaomi formally launched its first vehicle, the SU7 all-electric sedan. Three variants of the SU7 are offered for now — the SU7 Standard, SU7 Pro, and SU7 Max. The vehicles are competitively priced, with the SU7 Standard starting at RMB 215,900 ($29,870), the SU7 Pro starting at RMB 245,900 ($34,000), and the SU7 Max starting at RMB 299,900 ($41,500).
#XiaomiSU7 offers a variety of customization options, allowing you to create a driving mode that perfectly suits you. #XiaomiEVLaunch #DrivingForward pic.twitter.com/cwe4PVbSYQ— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) March 28, 2024
For context, the upgraded Tesla Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) starts at RMB 245,900 ($34,000) and the Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor All Wheel Drive (AWD) starts at RMB 285,900 ($39,500) in China. At such prices, the SU7 effectively undercuts the Model 3 by about $4,000 in price, with the midrange variant of Xiaomi’s all-electric car costing the same as Tesla’s entry-level Model 3.
Safety is an essential part of #XiaomiSU7. This car features our steel-aluminum alloy armored cage for unmatched protection.
Every SU7 is equipped with 16 active safety configurations, giving you complete peace of mind on the road. #XiaomiEVLaunch #DrivingForward pic.twitter.com/WbxAcldiIc— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) March 28, 2024
During the Xiaomi SU7’s launch event, Lei Jun, founder, chairman and CEO of the smartphone giant, noted that the all-electric sedan is targeting the same customers as the Tesla Model 3. “Many people ask me who the Xiaomi SU7 is built for. My answer is, ‘Isn’t it time for Tesla Model 3 users to upgrade?’” the executive noted.
#XiaomiSU7 Max lets you drive back onto the road with an incredible 510 kilometers of range in just 15 minutes of charging.
Even the standard SU7 isn't far behind, offering a 350-kilometer range boost in the same timeframe. #XiaomiEVLaunch #DrivingForward pic.twitter.com/9XkDfBKazH— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) March 28, 2024
The Xiaomi SU7 was benchmarked against the Tesla Model 3, and it shows. As per the executive, the SU7 is better than the Model 3 on over 90% of its specifications. The Xiaomi SU7 is slightly larger than the Model 3, and its starting range of 700 kilometers (almost 435 miles) is higher than the base Model 3’s 606 kilometers. Lei admitted, however, that it would probably take Xiaomi 3-5 years to catch up to Tesla in terms of powertrain efficiency.
Our smart cabin features five top-of-the-line screens. Whether it's connecting your smartphone to your car or your car to your home, #XiaomiHyperOS ensures a seamless and smooth experience.#XiaomiSU7 #XiaomiEVLaunch #DrivingForward pic.twitter.com/td0f1i6P92— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) March 28, 2024
The reception of Chinese consumers to the SU7 has been very positive so far. In the first 27 minutes after the company started accepting orders for the vehicle, Xiaomi was able to secure over 50,000 firm orders. Deliveries of the SU7’s “Founders Edition” are expected to begin on April 3, 2024.
Le Jun is a true Tesla fan, one of the early Model S owners in China. pic.twitter.com/paU6Eyt3Qt— Ray (@ray4tesla) March 28, 2024
While the Xiaomi SU7 is undoubtedly an impressive all-electric sedan, it should be noted that Tesla is a very difficult target to catch because the company just refuses to stay still. This is hinted at by the Cybertruck, whose key innovations like its 48V architecture and steer-by-wire system will likely trickle down to the company’s later vehicles. With this in mind, Xiaomi may find itself competing against a company that’s determined to prove that the “Tesla of China” is still Tesla.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
News
Tesla Robotaxi appears to be heading to a new U.S. city
Things are expanding for Robotaxi, but the big sign that it is really moving along greatly will be with the expansion to a new city. Tesla has not gone outside of Austin or the Bay Area as of yet, and launching in a new city will be a great indicator of progress.
Tesla Robotaxi appears to be heading to a new U.S. city, and although the company has revealed plans to launch in six new metros this year, it has yet to establish a new location outside of Austin and the Bay Area of California, where it has operated since last Summer.
A lot full of Model Y vehicles was spotted in Henderson, a town just north of Las Vegas, but there seems to be more than just this hint indicating that the Sin City will be the next location to offer potentially driverless rides in a Tesla using its Full Self-Driving suite.
These Model Ys are not your typical vehicles, as they are fitted with hardware that is only on Robotaxis: a rear camera washer is the dead giveaway:
🚨 These rear camera washers are only present on Robotaxi vehicles
Maybe Las Vegas is the next city to get the Robotaxi suite 😀 https://t.co/my3da5L4zc pic.twitter.com/jYFQuX1j2E
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) March 17, 2026
The photos and video of the lot were taken by TheZacher on X, who spotted the Model Y fleet in the Henderson parking lot.
The rear camera washer is the main piece of evidence here that indicates Tesla could be looking to expand Robotaxi to Las Vegas, a major ride-hailing hot spot, as it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the United States. Ride-sharing is a major industry in Vegas, especially for those who are staying off the Strip.
Tesla has also been extremely transparent that Vegas is on its radar for the Robotaxi fleet, as it revealed last year that it was one of five new U.S. cities that it planned to launch the ride-hailing service in this year.
Tesla confirms Robotaxi is heading to five new cities in the U.S.
The others were Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and Miami.
Things are expanding for Robotaxi, but the big sign that it is really moving along greatly will be with the expansion to a new city. Tesla has not gone outside of Austin or the Bay Area as of yet, and launching in a new city will be a great indicator of progress.
It will also give Tesla a new benchmark against rival company Waymo, which has operated in Las Vegas for some time.
News
Tesla Roadster gets new unveiling date once again
Musk announced last year that the unveiling, which initially happened back in 2018, would take place on April Fool’s Day. Initial deliveries at the 2018 event were slotted for 2020, but delays in the project, as well as prioritization of other things, continued to push the Roadster back.
The Tesla Roadster is perhaps the most anticipated vehicle in the company’s history, but those who have been waiting anxiously for it will have to push their timelines back once again.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has revealed that the company is once again pushing back the unveiling event that was originally planned for April 1. It will now take place “probably in late April.”
True.
New Roadster unveil probably in late April. https://t.co/NShZxpK5cI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 17, 2026
Musk announced last year that the unveiling, which initially happened back in 2018, would take place on April Fool’s Day. Initial deliveries at the 2018 event were slotted for 2020, but delays in the project, as well as prioritization of other things, continued to push the Roadster back.
There has been so much hype about the Roadster that people are right to be excited about the prospect of its existence.
Musk’s most recent rumblings about the vehicle came last Fall, when he appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he once again hinted the car would be able to hover for a short period.
He said:
“Whether it’s good or bad, it will be unforgettable. My friend Peter Thiel once reflected that the future was supposed to have flying cars, but we don’t have flying cars. I think if Peter wants a flying car, he should be able to buy one…I think it has a shot at being the most memorable product unveiling ever. [It will be unveiled] hopefully before the end of the year. You know, we need to make sure that it works. This is some crazy technology in this car. Let’s just put it this way: if you took all the James Bond cars and combined them, it’s crazier than that.”
Additionally, he said the vehicle would not be something that would prioritize safety. Musk said that “If safety is your number one goal, do not buy the Roadster.” It’s made for speed and excitement, not for grocery-getting.
Elon Musk just said some crazy stuff about the Tesla Roadster
As the April 1 unveiling event that was originally planned was nearing without any communication to fans, media, or anyone who would potentially be in attendance, it seemed to be pretty obvious that Tesla was not ready to pull the trigger on the event quite yet.
There could be some last-minute things to finalize, or it could be something else. One thing is for certain, though: we are not super surprised that things were moved back.
Tesla has definitely been putting some things in motion for the Roadster. A few months back, Tesla started to ramp up hiring for the Roadster, and earlier in March, it submitted a patent application for a new seat design.
Elon Musk
Tesla named by U.S. Gov. in $4.3B battery deal for American-made cells
What began as an open secret in the energy industry was confirmed by the U.S. Department of the Interior on Monday: Tesla is the buyer behind LG Energy Solution’s blockbuster $4.3 billion battery supply agreement.
What began as an open secret in the energy industry is becoming more real after the U.S. Department of the Interior named Tesla as the stakeholder in the LG Energy Solution’s blockbuster $4.3 billion battery supply agreement.
Tesla and LG Energy Solution are expanding their partnership to build a LFP prismatic battery cell manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan, launching production in 2027. The announcement, made as part of the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Summit results, ends months of speculation.
“American-made cells will power Tesla’s Megapack 3 energy storage systems produced in Houston, creating a robust domestic battery supply chain.”, notes a press release on the U.S. Department of the Interior website.
Tesla has long utilized China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), the world’s largest LFP battery maker, as one of its primary suppliers. That relationship made financial sense for years, considering that Chinese LFP cells were cheap, abundant, and reliable. But with escalated tariffs on Chinese imports and an increasingly growing Tesla Energy business that’s particularly reliant on LFP cells for products including its Megapack battery storage units designed for utilities and large-scale commercial projects.
The announcement of a deepened partnership between LG Energy Solution and Tesla has strategic logic for both parties. For Tesla, it secures a tariff-compliant, domestically produced battery supply for its fast-growing energy division. LGES, now producing LFP batteries in Michigan, becomes the only major supplier currently scaling U.S. production, outpacing rivals like Samsung SDI and SK On. LG Energy Solution’s Lansing plant, formerly known as Ultium Cells 3, was previously operated as a joint venture with General Motors. LGES acquired GM’s stake in May 2025 and now fully owns the site, with a production capacity of 50 GWh per year. LG Energy said the contract includes options to extend the supply period by up to seven years and boost volumes based on further consultations.
For the broader industry, the ripple effects are significant. This deal signals that domestic battery manufacturing can be financially viable and not just aspirational. Utilities, energy developers, and rival automakers will take note as American-made LFP supply becomes a competitive reality rather than a distant promise.
For consumers, the benefits will take time but are real. A more resilient, U.S.-based supply chain means fewer price shocks from trade disputes, more stable Megapack availability for the grid storage projects that reduce electricity costs, and long-term downward pressure on energy storage prices as domestic production scales.
Deliveries are set to begin in 2027 and run through mid-2030, and as grid storage demand accelerates, reliable, US-made battery supply is no longer a future ambition. It is becoming a core requirement of the country’s energy strategy.