Dreame scores billions in EV orders before announcing an actual product

Dreame Technology, a company you might know for its high-tech vacuum cleaners and hair dryers, is making one of the most unexpected moves in the automotive world. The Chinese home appliance maker is jumping into the crowded market for electric cars, and it's not starting with a sensible family sedan. Instead, it's going directly for the highest levels of luxury and performance, and it claims to already have secured over RMB15 billion (about $2.1 billion) in overseas orders.

The company announced the massive order figure during its first global partner conference this month. The event drew representatives from 54 dealerships across 22 countries, showing a surprising level of international interest right from the start. According to Dreame, dealers from the Middle East and Central Asia were especially enthusiastic.

This early success is part of the company's ambitious global strategy, which it calls an "ecosystem plus" model. The plan is to quickly expand its product lines and establish dealership partnerships in as many as 200 countries and regions.

Dreame's first vehicle, announced in late August, is a high-performance electric sports car. When images were released on September 10, the car's sleek, aggressive design immediately drew comparisons to the ultra-exclusive Bugatti Chiron.

There are no details available yet, but positioning its debut model against a multi-million dollar icon shows Dreame isn't planning to build budget-friendly electric cars. The company decided the best way forward is to chase the wealthiest buyers on the planet. This is a bold strategy for any new carmaker, let alone one that, until recently, was focused on keeping your floors clean.

Just two weeks after showing off its sports car, Dreame unveiled its second model online: a large, luxurious electric SUV. This one goes after the pinnacle of automotive opulence, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Scheduled to hit the market apparently in 2027, the unnamed SUV is enormous, with a wheelbase of 10.5 ft.

Its most striking feature is a set of rear-hinged coach doors, which are designed without a central pillar for a grand, unobstructed entrance. Dreame claims to hold seven patents for this unique door design, though some industry observers have noted their similarity to previous filings by other automakers.

Beneath the dramatic bodywork, the SUV promises advanced technology. Power will come from an all-electric system featuring four independent motors, one for each wheel, allowing for precise control and all-wheel drive.

The vehicle will also feature rear-wheel steering for better maneuverability and an adaptive chassis, with the air suspension using sensors to read the road and automatically adjust its height and stiffness for a smoother ride. The battery is a 100 kWh Cell-to-Pack unit, and Dreame says an optional gasoline-powered range extender will be available.

Founded by Yu Hao, Dreame Technology has been part of the Xiaomi Ecological Chain since 2017, where it built a reputation for its household gadgets. Its pivot to multi-ton luxury EVs is a giant leap of faith, putting the company among a growing list of Chinese tech giants challenging the old guard of the auto industry.

Securing $2.1 billion in pre-orders is an impressive start, but the road from revealing ambitious concepts to delivering finished electric cars to demanding customers is long and filled with challenges. In comparison, Xiaomi had it easy - it went for the most popular vehicle categories in the Chinese market. But challenging the likes of Bugatti and Rolls-Royce? You can be sure that the world will be watching closely to see if this vacuum cleaner company has what it takes.

Via