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 isn’t the first time an EV’s “smart” systems turned deadly after a collision, but the SU7’s disastrous safety flaws — just weeks after its launch — have reignited a furious debate: Can we trust “disruptor” brands with lives?
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.
“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.”
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.
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