Xiaomi EV is now officially in Europe as research hub opens in Germany

Chinese technology giant Xiaomi has officially planted its flag on European soil, opening its first EV research and design center outside of China. The new facility is located in the German automotive stronghold of Munich, and is a big step in the company's plan to bring its popular electric cars to the European market.

It's easy to forget that Xiaomi only announced its venture into electric cars about four years ago. In that short time, the company moved at incredible speed. Its first model, the sleek SU7 sedan, became an instant sensation in its home market of China. The demand was so high that Xiaomi delivered an astonishing 200,000 vehicles to customers in just 119 days, a pace that has put established automakers on notice.

Xiaomi's choice of Germany for its first international outpost is no coincidence. The automaker has already been making a name for itself in the country's demanding motorsports scene. Xiaomi has earned considerable respect at the world-famous Nürburgring.

The company was invited to join the exclusive "Industriepool," a group of manufacturers that conduct research and development on the track and has even signed on as a long-term partner of the circuit, which now features a dedicated "Xiaomi Curve" on its Grand Prix layout.

The newly established "Xiaomi EV Europe Research and Development and Design Center" in Munich will serve as the company's European nerve center for innovation. The center will benefit from its strategic position in one of Europe's most important hubs for automotive engineering, and it will focus on intelligent driving systems, vehicle dynamics, and next-gen designs for global audience.

An important goal for the Munich center is to tap into the continent's rich pool of automotive talent with the company planning to hire local engineers, designers, and researchers from across the European Union to collaborate with its global teams. The company also plans to use the facility to build partnerships with local research institutions and other industry players, accelerating its work on smart mobility and its broader "Human x Car x Home" smart ecosystem strategy.

The opening of the German R&D center is just a piece of a much larger puzzle. It directly supports the timeline laid out by Xiaomi President William Lu, who confirmed in August 2025 that the brand plans to begin selling its electric cars in the EU starting in 2027.

By establishing a research and design presence years ahead of its retail launch, Xiaomi is doing its homework. It is investing time and resources to understand the European market, adapt its products, and build a foundation for long-term success.

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