A Xiaomi YU7 electric SUV recently spotted on a US highway has triggered speculation about the company’s overseas strategy, after foreign media reported that the vehicle was driving on Interstate 5 with an Illinois manufacturer license plate. The sighting was first highlighted by Carscoops and subsequently circulated on Chinese social media platforms, drawing attention to the presence of a Chinese electric vehicle model in the United States.
Xiaomi founder, chairman, and CEO Lei Jun said the company has no plans to enter the U.S. automotive market via his Weibo account. He explained that the YU7 seen in California was likely purchased by an American industry peer or supplier as a benchmarking vehicle, rather than as part of Xiaomi’s own testing or market expansion activities.
According to reports cited by Chinese media, the YU7 was photographed with an Illinois manufacturer plate, which has previously appeared on test vehicles associated with Rivian. Rivian’s main manufacturing base is located in Illinois, and the timing of the sighting prompted discussion about whether the vehicle could be related to competitive evaluation activities. Industry practice shows that automakers often acquire rival models for internal testing and comparative analysis, meaning overseas sightings do not necessarily indicate formal market entry.
The YU7 is Xiaomi Auto’s first SUV and its second production model after the SU7 electric sedan. Xiaomi has focused its automotive expansion on the Chinese market since launching its vehicle business, with the YU7 positioned in the mid-to-large electric SUV segment. Previous disclosures indicate that Xiaomi’s overseas automotive expansion is planned for later stages rather than the near term, suggesting a gradual international rollout strategy rather than immediate entry into mature markets such as the United States.
In addition to the standard YU7, Xiaomi is preparing a high-performance variant under the YU7 GT name. The model appears in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology filings as a performance-oriented version of the YU7, featuring a dual-motor powertrain with a combined output of 738 kW (990 hp) and a top speed of 300 km/h. CarNewsChina previously reported that the YU7 GT features a wide-body design and a ternary lithium battery from CATL, positioning it as a high-performance electric SUV within Xiaomi’s expanding lineup.
As of early 2026, Xiaomi has not announced a timeline or regulatory roadmap for selling vehicles in the US market. The company’s official statements indicate that its current automotive strategy remains centred on domestic production and sales, while overseas expansion remains framed as a medium- to long-term objective rather than an imminent move.
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