Xiaomi has added CATL batteries to the standard variant of the SU7 instead of just BYD batteries as it did earlier to boost capacity.
The entry-level variant of the Xiaomi SU7 will be randomly powered by batteries supplied by CATL and BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) as Xiaomi EV strives to ramp up production capacity to address delivery bottlenecks.
The standard version of the Xiaomi SU7 adds CATL's batteries in addition to the existing ones from FinDreams Battery, Xiaomi's (HKG: 1810, OTCMKTS: XIACY) car-making unit said in a May 24 post on Weibo.
Both batteries in the standard model come from the industry's leading battery cell suppliers, Xiaomi EV emphasized. FinDreams is BYD's battery manufacturing arm.
The Xiaomi SU7 standard edition cars with batteries from CATL and FinDreams have the same CLTC range of 700 kilometers, and both can get 350 kilometers of range on a 15-minute charge, Xiaomi EV said.
Orders for the SU7 standard edition that are locked in from 12:00 am on May 25 Beijing Time will be randomly assigned to vehicles fitted with FinDreams or CATL battery cells, Xiaomi EV said.
The move is part of an effort to boost production capacity, and the factory will start double-shift production in June, Xiaomi EV said, adding that it will ensure more than 10,000 deliveries in a single month in June.
After improvements to the production line in early May, the capacity ramp-up is now progressing significantly and is ready for further ramp-ups, Xiaomi EV said.
Supplier partners have agreed to work with Xiaomi EV to ramp up pace and meet higher demand after several rounds of critical communication, it said.
Launched on March 28, the SU7 is available in three variants -- standard, Pro, and Max -- with starting prices of RMB 215,900 ($29,800), RMB 245,900, and RMB 299,900, respectively.
The standard version of the SU7 was powered by BYD's blade batteries based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry with a capacity of 73.6 kWh and a CLTC range of 700 kilometers, Xiaomi EV said at the launch of the model.
The Pro version is powered by Shenxing Battery from CATL based on LFP chemistry with a capacity of 94.3 kWh and a CLTC range of 830 km.
The Xiaomi SU7 Max is powered by CATL Qilin Battery with a capacity of 101 kWh and a CLTC range of 800 kilometers.
Customers who currently order the SU7 will have to wait at least 30 weeks for delivery, according to data monitored by CnEVPost.
Xiaomi EV is on track to deliver at least 100,000 units for the full year 2024 and will challenge the 120,000-unit delivery target, Xiaomi management said in a May 23 earnings call.
($1 = RMB 7.2450)
Xiaomi raises SU7 delivery target from 100,000 to 120,000 units in 2024
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