Xiaomi's YU7 EV Faces Long Wait Times, CEO Recommends Rivals

Xiaomi's new SUV, YU7, received 240,000 orders in the first 18 hours after its unveiling, with a wait time of over a year. Founder Lei Jun has suggested buyers consider rival cars due to manufacturing crunch. Long wait times for popular cars are not unusual, with Tesla experiencing similar challenges in earlier years. Xiaomi is working to increase production capacity and has asked customers to be patient.

Xiaomi's latest electric SUV, the YU7, has generated significant interest, with over 240,000 orders placed in the first 18 hours following its unveiling in late June [1]. However, the high demand has led to substantial wait times, with some customers facing delays of over a year. Founder Lei Jun has advised potential buyers to consider rival electric vehicles (EVs) due to the manufacturing crunch.

The YU7, priced at 253,500 yuan ($35,300), offers an impressive range of 835 kilometers (520 miles) and a battery that can be charged to 80% in just 13 minutes. Despite its attractive features, the long wait times are causing frustration among customers. The wait time for the base model of the YU7 is currently estimated at 56 to 59 weeks, according to Xiaomi's app [1].

Xiaomi's manufacturing challenges are not new. The company has struggled to scale production quickly, taking two months to reach 10,000 monthly deliveries and five months to hit 20,000 for its SU7 sedan [1]. Deliveries of the YU7 have averaged just 1,590 a week in the four weeks ended Aug. 4 [1].

While Lei Jun has asked customers to be patient and assured them that the company is working to increase production capacity, the lengthy wait times have prompted him to suggest alternative options. He has recommended considering Xpeng’s G7 SUV, Li Auto’s i8 electric minivan, or even Tesla’s Model Y [1].

Long wait times for popular cars are not uncommon. Tesla experienced similar challenges in earlier years, with some customers waiting as long as three years for the Model 3 [1]. In 2022, Toyota's new Land Cruiser faced a wait time of four years in Japan due to supply chain disruptions [1].

Despite the delays, some customers remain committed to the YU7. Zhou, a Beijing resident, ordered the SUV a day after its launch and is prepared to wait for his vehicle, despite the extended wait time. He originally estimated a wait time of 26 to 29 weeks, which has since increased to 24 to 27 weeks [1].

Xiaomi's entry into the EV market has been successful, as evidenced by the overwhelming demand for the YU7. However, the company must address the manufacturing challenges to meet customer expectations and maintain its competitive edge.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-08-11/xiaomi-s-long-wait-times-leads-ceo-to-recommend-rivals-evs