The Intelligence from The Economist Xiaomi the way: a Chinese tech giant gets bigger
10 snips
Jul 25, 2025 
Don Weinland, China business and finance editor for The Economist, and Kenley Salmon, Latin America correspondent, dive into Xiaomi's evolution from smartphone powerhouse to contender in the electric vehicle market. They discuss the challenges of expanding abroad and how the company's success at home influences its global strategy. The conversation shifts to the South Atlantic's rising geopolitical significance, reshaping U.S.-Britain-Argentina relations, and how women's sports are on a thrilling upswing, marked by increased investment and growing popularity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Xiaomi's EV Market Strategy
- Xiaomi leveraged China's advanced EV supply chains and significant capital to quickly enter the electric vehicle market.
- Xiaomi controls much of its EV design and manufacturing, differentiating from pure outsourcing models.
Xiaomi EV Crash and Recovery
- A tragic crash in March using Xiaomi's autonomous driving raised safety concerns.
- Despite the accident, Xiaomi's second EV model sold rapidly, showing strong consumer confidence.
Xiaomi's Overseas Ambitions
- Xiaomi aims to open 10,000 shops and sell EVs overseas by 2027, challenging Apple and Samsung globally.
- While smartphone success abroad looks promising, EV market growth abroad faces infrastructure challenges.