The auto industry faces its iPhone moment – function converges, design originality fades. Xiaomi’s gamble highlights the tension: when does “smart iteration” cross into creative bankruptcy?
This quiet revolution in vehicle customization represents a fundamental shift in China’s automotive landscape, where personalization has evolved from an underground hobby to a legitimate industry projected to reach RMB 160 billion (USD 22.3 billion) by 2025, according to the 2023 China Automotive Customization and Modification Industry White Paper.
Retail: In May 2025, China’s passenger vehicle retail sales reached 1.932 million units, up 13.3% YoY and 10.1% MoM. Cumulative retail sales from January to May totaled 8.811 million units, a 9.1% YoY increase.
“China’s auto market surged in March 2025, with NEVs hitting 51% retail penetration as domestic brands dominated, while easing price wars and export pressures shaped a stabilizing yet competitive landscape.”
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