Gasgoo Munich- Xiaomi Auto is taking its first global step in the toughest market possible: Germany in 2027. It is the pinnacle of global automotive technology—and the starting line for Xiaomi to earn trust abroad. Stringent regulations, unfamiliar customers, and no turning back. This "German exam" is the decisive battle for Xiaomi's transformation from a Chinese upstart to a global brand. The global hand has been revealed. At the recent Auto China 2026, Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun stood at the center of the company's booth with a clear message: Xiaomi Auto is going global. He publicly outlined plans for a European R&D center for the first time. Xiaomi has already begun preparations. It aims to blend the efficiency of "Made in China" with the heritage of "German engineering" to develop smart EVs tailored to European consumers. Image Source: Xiaomi Auto The initiative marks a strategic leap for Xiaomi Auto from a domestic Chinese automaker to a global smart EV brand. In reality, the groundwork for this expansion was laid long ago. In November 2025, Xiaomi Group President Lu Weibing traveled to Germany specifically to test drive the SU7. He publicly declared a "full-scale effort" for the 2027 European entry. That same year, Xiaomi recruited Dieter, Tesla's former senior manager for delivery operations in Central Europe, to build a talent pool for overseas business. These quiet maneuvers converged at the Beijing Auto Show into a clear roadmap: Germany in 2027. The timing of this offensive is no accident. Since deliveries of the SU7 began in April 2024, Xiaomi Auto has delivered more than 650,000 vehicles. Its lineup has expanded from the SU7 to the YU7, with the new YU7 GT set to debut in May. With domestic production capacity, supply chains, and the product matrix now fully validated,