Core Viewpoint - The recent accident involving Xiaomi's car in Chengdu highlights not only the safety issues within Xiaomi's vehicles but also reflects broader safety concerns prevalent in the entire new energy vehicle industry [1][10]. Group 1: Safety Concerns - The hidden door handle design of Xiaomi's car hindered rescue efforts during the accident, raising significant safety concerns about such designs that prioritize aesthetics over functionality [2][10]. - The electronic door handles have a success rate of only 67% in side collisions, compared to 98% for traditional mechanical handles, indicating a critical safety gap [2]. - New regulations have been introduced to ensure that car doors can be opened in emergencies, emphasizing that design innovations must not compromise basic safety functions [2][10]. Group 2: Performance vs. Safety - The rapid acceleration capabilities of models like the Xiaomi SU7 pose increased demands on drivers' skills and awareness, potentially turning public roads into race tracks [3][10]. - The demographic of Xiaomi's users shows that 68% are under 35 years old, with a significant portion being inexperienced drivers, raising concerns about their ability to handle high-performance vehicles [3]. - The disparity between the performance of electric vehicles and the safety standards that accompany them could lead to dangerous situations if safety does not keep pace with performance advancements [3][10]. Group 3: Driver Education and Awareness - Many drivers lack adequate understanding of new technologies in electric vehicles, such as energy recovery and single-pedal driving, which can lead to accidents if not properly managed [5][7]. - The misuse of intelligent driving systems, where drivers over-rely on technology, has resulted in serious accidents, highlighting a gap in driver education and awareness [6][8]. - The marketing strategies of some car manufacturers often downplay the need for driver training and safety education, leading to a mismatch between driver capabilities and vehicle technology [7][10]. Group 4: Regulatory Response - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is seeking to enhance safety requirements for intelligent and connected vehicle production, focusing on improving the capabilities related to network and data security [8][9]. - New regulations aim to address the risks associated with new technologies while optimizing the requirements for different product development characteristics [9]. Group 5: Industry Responsibility - The accident serves as a reminder that new energy vehicle manufacturers must prioritize safety over rapid technological advancements and market competition [10][11]. - Safety should be integrated throughout the entire lifecycle of vehicle production, from design to after-sales service, ensuring that consumer education and feedback mechanisms are robust [10].

Core Viewpoint - Xiaomi Auto is facing controversy over "unfair contract terms" as customers report being asked to pay the remaining balance for vehicles that have not yet been delivered, with threats of order cancellation and non-refundable deposits if they refuse to comply [1][4]. Group 1: Customer Feedback - Customers have reported issues primarily with the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra and Xiaomi YU7 models, where they were asked to pay the remaining balance while the vehicles were still in production, with delivery timelines extending from 22 to 25 weeks [2]. - Some customers were required to pay the remaining balance up to six months in advance, even when their vehicles were still in the "pending production" stage [2]. Group 2: Previous Incidents - This is not the first time Xiaomi Auto has faced such complaints; similar issues were reported as early as 2024, with customers expressing frustration over the "unfair contract terms" [4]. - The purchase agreement allows Xiaomi Auto to demand payment based on production schedules, and failure to pay on time is considered a fundamental breach of contract, leading to order cancellation and forfeiture of deposits [4]. Group 3: Industry Comparison - Xiaomi Auto is currently experiencing rapid growth, with delivery volumes exceeding 30,000 units by July 2025, highlighting the need for standardized delivery processes [5]. - In contrast to other automakers like Tesla and NIO, which allow customers to pay after vehicle inspection, Xiaomi's policy of requiring payment before inspection is seen as non-standard and raises concerns about its sales practices [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent challenges faced by Xiaomi and its founder Lei Jun, particularly in light of a serious accident involving the Xiaomi SU7 vehicle, which has raised significant public scrutiny and impacted the company's reputation in the automotive sector [4][9][10]. Summary by Sections Industry Context - The automotive industry is experiencing rapid growth, with established supply chains and consumer habits becoming more mature, which Xiaomi aims to leverage as it enters the market [3][9]. - The recent accident involving the Xiaomi SU7 has drawn attention from regulatory bodies and has the potential to slow down the advancement of intelligent driving technologies in China [9][10]. Company Performance - Prior to the accident, Xiaomi's automotive sales were strong, with the company achieving a delivery volume of 200,000 vehicles within a year of entering the market [13]. - Despite the challenges, Xiaomi's core smartphone business remains robust, and the company is projected to achieve record performance in 2024 [9][10]. Lei Jun's Leadership Challenges - Lei Jun has faced numerous setbacks throughout his career, including failed ventures and significant challenges at Xiaomi, which have shaped his approach to leadership and business strategy [6][8][12]. - The recent accident has been described by Lei Jun as the most difficult period since founding Xiaomi, highlighting the emotional and reputational toll of the incident [9][10]. Response to Crisis - In response to the accident, Lei Jun has emphasized the need for higher standards and accountability, recognizing that Xiaomi must now operate with the responsibilities of a major industry player [10][18]. - The company is focusing on improving its governance and operational performance to address public concerns and restore its reputation [17][18]. Future Directions - Moving forward, Xiaomi is expected to enhance its research and development efforts, particularly in safety and manufacturing precision, to align with the automotive industry's stringent requirements [18][19]. - There is a need for Xiaomi to transition from a founder-centric model to a more decentralized organizational structure to mitigate systemic risks and foster sustainable growth in the automotive sector [19][20].

Core Points - Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi, is currently facing significant challenges following a serious traffic accident involving the Xiaomi SU7, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals [1][6] - The incident has led to heightened scrutiny of Xiaomi's automotive division and raised concerns about product safety and corporate responsibility [6][11] - Despite the challenges, Xiaomi's core smartphone business remains strong, and the company has achieved impressive sales figures in the automotive sector [6][10] Group 1: Recent Events - Lei Jun's recent comments indicate that the past month has been one of the most difficult periods since founding Xiaomi, highlighting the impact of the SU7 accident [2][5] - The accident has drawn significant media attention and has the potential to delay the advancement of intelligent driving technology in China [6][10] - Following the accident, Xiaomi's planned 15th-anniversary celebrations were canceled, and Lei Jun was absent from the Shanghai Auto Show [1][6] Group 2: Company Performance - Prior to the accident, Xiaomi's automotive sales were strong, with the company achieving a delivery volume of 200,000 vehicles within a year of launching its automotive division [8][10] - Xiaomi's stock performance had been positive, and Lei Jun was regarded as a leading figure in the industry, with a large following on social media [1][6] - The company is expected to achieve record performance in 2024, with projections indicating a return to the top position in the Chinese smartphone market by Q1 2025 [6][10] Group 3: Historical Context - Lei Jun's career has been marked by ups and downs, including early failures in entrepreneurship and challenges faced during his tenure at Kingsoft [3][4][8] - The establishment of Xiaomi in 2010 was a pivotal moment, as the company quickly gained market attention with its innovative smartphone offerings [3][8] - Lei Jun's philosophy of "going with the flow" has been a guiding principle in his business strategy, allowing Xiaomi to capitalize on market trends [8][10] Group 4: Future Considerations - The recent crisis has prompted Lei Jun to emphasize the need for Xiaomi to adopt higher standards and responsibilities as a leading company in the automotive industry [2][7] - There is a recognition that the automotive sector requires a different approach compared to consumer electronics, necessitating increased investment in research and development [11] - Moving forward, Xiaomi must balance the founder's influence with the need for organizational evolution to ensure the long-term success of its automotive division [11][12]