Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Xiaomi has pledged full cooperation with police following a fatal accident involving one of its cars operating in autonomous mode.
The crash, which occurred on Saturday night on the Dezhou-Shangrao Expressway in eastern Anhui province, claimed the lives of three college students. Xiaomi stated that before the accident, the vehicle was in Navigate On Autopilot (NAO) mode, traveling at 116 km/h (72 mph). Upon detecting an obstacle in a section of the highway under construction, the car issued a warning and transferred control to the driver. However, within seconds, it crashed into a concrete barrier at approximately 97 km/h.
Footage shared online showed the vehicle engulfed in flames, later reduced to a charred wreck. The incident has raised concerns over Xiaomi’s assisted driving technology, the cause of the fire, and whether the car doors could be opened in an emergency.
Xiaomi’s founder, Lei Jun, expressed his deep sorrow in a social media post, reaffirming the company’s commitment to assisting with the investigation. Meanwhile, on the Chinese platform Weibo, a woman identified as the driver’s mother accused Xiaomi of neglecting the victims’ families, demanding an explanation for why the vehicle caught fire after impact.
Xiaomi, known for its consumer electronics, entered the automotive market in March 2024 with the SU7, selling over 200,000 units in its first year. The standard model is priced at approximately 210,000 yuan ($28,900). Following the crash, Xiaomi’s share price has dropped by around five percent.
China is a global leader in assisted driving technology, with Xiaomi’s system allowing autonomous lane changes and overtaking on highways. However, the company emphasizes that the system is not a substitute for human drivers. In response to the accident, Xiaomi has dispatched an investigation team and is working with local authorities to contact the victims' families.
SR
