Emir BardakçıOn February 10, a Xiaomi YU7 Max was spotted driving on Interstate 5, bearing a manufacturer license plate from the state of Illinois. The appearance of the high-performance electric SUV, which is currently not sold in the United States, immediately triggered rumors that the company might be quietly testing its vehicles for a future North American launch.
However, Xiaomi’s leadership moved quickly to clarify the situation.
Lei Jun Denies US Market Entry Plans
Addressing the rumors directly, Lei Jun, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, took to the Chinese social media platform Weibo to shut down speculation regarding an imminent U.S. expansion.
“Some time ago, a YU7 was seen driving on a highway in California, USA, with local test license plates,” Lei Jun wrote in his post today. “Many people asked me if Xiaomi was preparing to enter the US market. My answer is: We currently have no plans to enter the US market”.
Lei Jun offered an alternative explanation for the vehicle’s presence, suggesting it was likely acquired by a third party for internal testing. “I estimate that this YU7 is a benchmark vehicle purchased by a US competitor or supplier,” he stated.
The “Competitor” Theory
The details of the sighting support Lei Jun’s explanation. The vehicle was sporting manufacturer plates from Illinois, a detail that has led industry analysts to point toward Rivian, the American EV truck and SUV maker based in Normal, Illinois.
Automakers frequently import vehicles from foreign competitors to “benchmark” them—studying their engineering, software, and performance to improve their own products. With Rivian preparing to launch its own mid-size SUV, the R2, benchmarking a top-tier competitor like the Xiaomi YU7 Max would be a standard industry practice.
Focus Remains on Europe and Asia
While a U.S. launch appears to be off the table, Xiaomi’s global ambitions remain aggressive. Lu Weibing, President of Xiaomi Group, has previously outlined the company’s roadmap for international expansion. According to Lu, Xiaomi is currently focusing on scaling its domestic success in China but plans to officially enter the European and Asian markets starting in 2027.
For now, American enthusiasts wishing to drive a Xiaomi EV will have to admire them from afar, or perhaps catch a rare glimpse of one being tested by a local competitor.
