XIAOMI(HK:01810) 21世纪经济报道·2025-08-20 12:35Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the growing dissatisfaction among Xiaomi car owners due to aggressive payment collection practices for vehicle tail payments before delivery, which has led to a decline in trust towards the brand [4][21][22]. Group 1: Payment Collection Practices - Multiple Xiaomi car owners reported being pressured to pay the remaining balance within seven days before vehicle delivery, with threats of order cancellation and forfeiture of deposits [4][5]. - Affected owners expressed frustration, especially when delivery timelines were extended, leading to concerns about potential vehicle damage before receipt [4][18]. - Xiaomi's approach contrasts with industry norms, where payment is typically collected upon delivery, raising questions about the legality and fairness of their practices [6][9]. Group 2: Customer Sentiment and Trust Issues - Trust among Xiaomi car owners is eroding, with many feeling misled and treated unfairly, leading to a sense of betrayal among loyal customers [21][22]. - Some owners have resorted to creative means to reclaim deposits, indicating a significant level of dissatisfaction and distrust towards the company [10][12]. - The article notes that the perception of Xiaomi as a brand has shifted from a symbol of innovation to one associated with aggressive sales tactics, impacting customer loyalty [22][23]. Group 3: Market Position and Competition - Despite the challenges, Xiaomi has achieved significant sales milestones, with over 311,700 vehicles delivered within 15 months, outperforming competitors like NIO [4][29]. - However, the aggressive payment collection strategy may backfire, as competitors are poised to capitalize on Xiaomi's declining reputation and customer dissatisfaction [27][29]. - The article suggests that Xiaomi needs to improve production capacity and customer relations to maintain its market position and avoid losing customers to rival brands [24][27].