· Tech & Innovation · 6 min read
Xiaomi Approved for First Extended-Range EV in China
MIIT certification greenlights Xiaomi's Kunlun N3 full-size SUV, aimed squarely at Li Auto and Aito with a new sub-brand and 1,500-km range.
China’s MIIT greenlights Xiaomi’s EREV push
Xiaomi’s long-rumored extended-range electric SUV is now official. On June 10, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) added Xiaomi to its list of automakers permitted to produce extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). The 408th MIIT bulletin was a quiet regulatory update—but it instantly trended on Chinese social media, with comments like “finally” and “been waiting so long” flooding the platform (36Kr).
The certification marks a strategic pivot. Until now, Xiaomi held a production license only for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). With the new approval, the company can legally manufacture and sell vehicles with range extenders, joining China’s fastest-growing premium segment.
This move comes nearly three years after Xiaomi began quietly recruiting EREV system engineers in late 2023—even before the SU7 sedan was unveiled. At the time, CEO Lei Jun publicly downplayed the idea, insisting the company would “temporarily not do range extension” to protect the BEV narrative. But the MIIT filing confirms Lei had this card in his hand all along (36Kr).
Why now? The market forced Lei’s hand
EREVs have become a non-negotiable piece of China’s premium auto puzzle. Over 40% of new energy vehicle sales in the large SUV segment come from range-extended models, mainly Li Auto’s L-series and Aito’s M-series, according to industry data cited by 36Kr. These vehicles succeed because they solve the charging anxiety that still plagues Chinese highway travel, while offering the space and comfort that families crave.
Xiaomi’s Q1 2025 earnings call had already dropped hints. President Lu Weibing said a “very large vehicle” would launch in the second half of the year, based on a new platform with “strong product innovation.” He explicitly ruled out the YU9 naming, fueling speculation about a separate brand. The MIIT filing confirms that vehicle is not years away—it’s a matter of months.
Timing-wise, Xiaomi is executing a carefully sequenced plan. After launching the SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV as pure EVs to establish brand credibility, it now brings an EREV to capture volume. Building an EREV costs less than a comparable BEV, requires fewer expensive batteries, and faces fewer charging infrastructure hurdles—perfect for scaling quickly in a crowded market (36Kr).
What we know about the vehicle: ‘Kunlun N3’ decoded
Though no official images exist, two years of spy shots, supply chain leaks, and trademark filings have painted a detailed picture. The vehicle is internally codenamed “Kunlun N3,” a full-size SUV with a separate sub-brand identity. Here are the confirmed and near-certain specs, per 36Kr’s cross-verified reporting:
- Sub-brand and naming: The SUV will not wear the Xiaomi logo. Instead, it will launch under “Xuntian”, with the English name SKYNOMAD. Xiaomi filed the Xuntian trademark in April 2023 and SKYNOMAD in November 2024, covering vehicles and mobility devices. The YU9 name has been scrapped.
- Dimensions: Over 5.3 meters long with a wheelbase around 3.1–3.16 meters, and height approaching 1.9 meters. That puts it squarely against the Li Auto L9 and Aito M9.
- Design: Far boxier than the SU7’s coupe lines. Chinese netizens call it the “Mi-Rede”—a blend of Xiaomi and Land Rover Range Rover. Spy shots show a closed-off grille, split thin LED daytime running lights, a prominent roof-mounted LiDAR hump, and a ring-shaped embedded tail light.
- Seating and configuration: Likely 6- and 7-seat versions, with a possible split tailgate and an optional pop-up roof for camping. High-end trims may target outdoor lifestyles.
- Powertrain: A 1.5T turbocharged four-cylinder engine from Dongan Power—the same supplier for Li ONE and Leapmotor C11 EREVs—serves as the range extender. Combined with dual electric motors producing over 400 hp, it promises strong performance for its size.
- Battery and range: A large 80-kWh battery pack (supplied by Sunwoda and CALB) delivers a CLTC pure-electric range of 400–500 km, which matches many older BEVs. Total range, including the gasoline extender, should break 1,500 km.
- Smart driving and cockpit: A roof-mounted LiDAR points to advanced driver assistance, possibly running on Xiaomi’s own chip and supporting city NOA. The cabin will naturally run HyperOS, linking phone, car, and smart home.
- Price and timing: Launch is expected in H2 2026. Price estimates vary: entry versions could start at 200,000–250,000 yuan, but most reports point to a core price band of 350,000–450,000 yuan, overlapping with the L9 and M9.
The competitive landscape: Xiaomi vs. the incumbents
Here’s how Xiaomi’s reported Kunlun N3 stacks up against two benchmarks:
| Spec | Xiaomi Kunlun N3 (reported) | Li Auto L9 | Aito M9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | >5,300 mm | 5,218 mm | 5,230 mm |
| Wheelbase | ~3,100–3,160 mm | 3,105 mm | 3,110 mm |
| Range extender | 1.5T 4-cyl, 44.3–44.5% thermal efficiency | 1.5T 4-cyl, ~40% | 1.5T 4-cyl, ~41% |
| Battery (kWh) | ~80 | 44.5 (EREV) | 42.0 (EREV) |
| Pure EV range (km, CLTC) | 400–500 | 215 | 225 |
| Total range (km) | >1,500 | 1,315 | 1,400+ |
| Price (yuan) | 350,000–450,000 (est.) | 429,800–459,800 | 469,800–549,800 |
Sources: 36Kr for Xiaomi; official specs for Li Auto and Aito.
The most striking column is pure-electric range. If Xiaomi’s 80-kWh battery materializes, it would more than double the L9 and M9’s electric-only range. This would let most daily driving stay fully electric, with the range extender as a true long-distance backup—a feature that no rival currently offers.
Implications: Lei Jun isn’t just entering a market—he’s rewriting the playbook
Xiaomi’s EREV SUV is not a me-too product. Three strategic implications stand out:
1. A two-brand ladder from 200,000 to 500,000 yuan. By sequestering the EREV under the separate Xuntian/SKYNOMAD marque, Xiaomi builds a clear price segmentation: main-brand Xiaomi for sportier BEVs in the 200,000–300,000 yuan range, and Xuntian for larger, family-oriented EREVs up to 500,000 yuan. This avoids diluting Xiaomi’s tech-focused image while tapping a higher-margin segment.
2. EREV subsidies the BEV mission. Developing and scaling pure EVs is expensive. A profitable EREV line generates cash flow that can fund Xiaomi’s EV infrastructure and next-gen battery tech. It’s the same playbook that has kept Li Auto consistently profitable while Nio and Xpeng struggle with red ink.
3. Ecosystem lock-in at the top of the market. Xiaomi’s ace is its cross-device HyperOS. For affluent families already using Xiaomi phones, tablets, and smart home gear, a large-screen SUV that seamlessly integrates with all of them becomes a no-brainer upgrade. Li Auto and Aito offer good software, but neither has Xiaomi’s device ecosystem breadth.
Yet challenges remain. The large SUV EREV segment is brutally competitive. Li Auto ships over 100,000 units per quarter; Aito’s M9 regularly outsells traditional luxury marques. Xiaomi will need to prove that its first-ever large SUV can match the ride quality, NVH, and interior craftsmanship of established players—areas where a good spec sheet doesn’t guarantee victory.
What to watch
- Official name and brand reveal: Any press release from Xiaomi or Xuntian with vehicle images, specs, and launch timeline. Trademark registers for further sub-brand models (Kunlun 10, Kunlun 20) may signal a full lineup.
- Supplier confirmations: Watch Dongan Power’s announcements about engine supply contracts, and battery suppliers Sunwoda and CALB for production ramp-up hints.
- Pricing and variant structure: If Xiaomi anchors at 350,000 yuan with a high-spec entry, it signals a direct assault on Li Auto. A wider 250,000–450,000 yuan band could segment the market into volume and premium trims, pressuring both BYD’s Yangwang and Aito.
- Regulatory and compliance milestones: The MIIT filing is the “birth permit.” Next will be a vehicle homologation filing with full specifications and photos, often 2–4 months before launch. That filing will confirm the true dimensions, motor outputs, and range figures.
