3 6 Ke·2025-05-19 11:01Core Insights - The article discusses the evolving relationship between Xiaomi and Midea, highlighting their initial collaboration and subsequent competition in the context of China's manufacturing transformation [1][2][3]. Group 1: Initial Collaboration - In 2014, Midea invested 1.273 billion RMB in Xiaomi, while Xiaomi invested 1.266 billion RMB in Midea, marking a significant partnership aimed at combining traditional manufacturing with internet capabilities [3][5]. - Midea sought to leverage Xiaomi's internet expertise to overcome challenges in traditional appliance sales, while Xiaomi aimed to enhance its IoT ecosystem through Midea's supply chain [5][6]. Group 2: Strategic Divergence - By 2016, Midea shifted focus towards the B2B industrial internet, acquiring KUKA Robotics, while Xiaomi expanded its ecosystem from 30 to 200 companies, posing a direct threat to Midea's core business [8][10]. - Xiaomi's actions from 2018 to 2023, including stock reductions in Midea and a complete severance of IoT system integration, indicated a strategic pivot towards self-reliance and dominance in the smart home market [9][10]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Xiaomi's smartphone business faced low profit margins, with a gross margin of 12.6% in 2024, while its IoT and lifestyle products saw significant growth, with revenues reaching 104.1 billion RMB and a gross margin of 20.3% [11][12]. - Midea's revenue in 2023 surpassed 373.7 billion RMB, with a net profit of 33.7 billion RMB, demonstrating resilience despite increased competition from Xiaomi [13]. Group 4: Market Dynamics - Xiaomi's aggressive pricing strategy in the air conditioning market and its growing presence in smart home products have intensified competition with Midea [13][14]. - The article suggests that while Xiaomi's rapid expansion has been successful, it has also led to reputational challenges for its founder, Lei Jun, due to perceptions of opportunism in business partnerships [14].