Core Insights - Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi, has recently faced significant challenges, leading to a decline in his public persona and the company's reputation [2][3][4] - The launch of Xiaomi's electric vehicle, the SU7, initially marked a high point for the company, achieving record sales, but subsequent incidents have severely impacted its image [8][10] - A tragic accident involving the SU7 has triggered a wave of negative publicity, resulting in a sharp decline in consumer trust and scrutiny over the vehicle's safety features [10][13][19] Group 1 - Lei Jun's recent personal struggles have led him to step back from public engagements, reflecting a difficult period since the founding of Xiaomi [3][4] - The SU7 electric vehicle achieved a milestone with over 20,000 units delivered in a month, but this success was overshadowed by a serious accident involving three university students [8][10] - Following the accident, Lei Jun's social media activity was limited, and he faced backlash for his delayed response to the tragedy [10][17] Group 2 - The SU7 has faced multiple controversies, including allegations of false advertising regarding its features and performance, leading to consumer dissatisfaction [13][15][19] - The vehicle ranked last in a quality assessment by the China Automotive Quality Network, raising concerns about its reliability and safety [19][21] - Reports of various malfunctions and safety issues with the SU7 have emerged, further damaging Xiaomi's reputation in the automotive sector [25][30] Group 3 - Xiaomi's marketing strategy has been heavily focused on creating a "tech-savvy" image, but the company has struggled with public relations, particularly in crisis management [31][35] - Lei Jun's approach to public relations has been criticized for being reactive rather than proactive, especially in the wake of the SU7 accident [35][41] - The automotive industry requires a different approach to consumer trust compared to the fast-paced smartphone market, highlighting the need for Xiaomi to reassess its strategies [41]