A Xiaomi SU7 Max was spotted on 16/7 being transported to Hyundai's Yangjae office in Seoul. The vehicle carried a temporary license plate issued by the Seocho District Office, and Bloter confirmed Hyundai received official approval for temporary operation for research purposes.
This move signifies Hyundai's expanding efforts in benchmarking electric vehicles from overseas, now including models from Chinese automakers like Xiaomi. While the SU7 isn't officially sold in South Korea, Hyundai reportedly imported several for internal evaluation.
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Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle being transported to Hyundai's center. Photo: Auto-home |
Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle being transported to Hyundai's center. Photo: Auto-home
The decision to analyze the SU7 comes amid growing global interest in Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. At a company meeting earlier this year, Hyundai Motor Chairman Euisun Chung emphasized the need to remain competitive not only with Tesla but also with rapidly growing rivals like BYD. "Unavoidable challenges lie ahead," Chung said, calling for preparations for changes in the electric vehicle market.
Hyundai's investment in tangible assets has grown significantly. According to Bloter, the company's tangible assets rose from 38.9 trillion won (28.1 billion USD) in 2023 to 44.8 trillion won (32.4 billion USD) in Quarter I/2025. Spending on these assets reached 2.08 trillion won (1.5 billion USD) in Quarter I alone, a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. Hyundai hasn't disclosed details of its spending on imported electric vehicles, but the SU7 appears to be part of this substantial R&D investment.
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A white Xiaomi SU7 was also spotted near Hyundai's center in March. Photo: Autospy |
A white Xiaomi SU7 was also spotted near Hyundai's center in March. Photo: Autospy
Hyundai plans to use insights from models like the SU7 to guide future development, particularly regarding user interface and infotainment design. The SU7's HyperOS operating system is being compared to Hyundai's BlueLink Connect system and could serve as a reference point for upcoming digital cockpit designs.
Hyundai has allocated 24.3 trillion won (17.6 billion USD) for investment in 2025, almost half of which is earmarked for research and development. The company plans to utilize its Gangnam-daero UX Studio and other locations to guide future vehicle development.
My Anh
