Xiaomi’s electric cars edge closer to our shores
Words: Richard Edwards
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is hiring staff in Sydney for its Australian car business, the strongest sign yet that its electric cars are headed this way.
Two job listings posted on LinkedIn in October are for a senior lawyer to look after sales and after-sales matters for the Australian car business, and a finance manager to set up car loan and leasing products with banks across the Asia-Pacific region.
Xiaomi hasn’t said anything about New Zealand. However, Chinese car brands have usually launched here alongside Australia, often run as a combined Australia and New Zealand operation, so a move into Australia would normally be expected to bring New Zealand with it.
Who is Xiaomi?
Best known for its phones and home electronics, Xiaomi only started selling cars in China in 2024. It sells the SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV there, plus the larger Skynomad N70 and N90 SUVs, which use a petrol range-extender.
It delivered more than 410,000 cars in 2025, its first full year of sales, and is aiming for 550,000 this year.
When could they arrive?
Not soon. Xiaomi says Europe will be its first export market, starting with Germany in 2027, where it has signed agreements with eight dealer groups. Right-hand-drive production, which Australia and New Zealand need, is expected to follow in 2028.
Neither job listing says how Xiaomi plans to sell its cars in Australia, or when the first ones will arrive.
