Xiaomi's Next EV is a 'Second Home on Wheels' Called SkyNomad
Xiaomi is expanding beyond its driver-focused cars with the SkyNomad, a massive new electric SUV designed to be a living space on wheels. The new series, announced Thursday, moves the tech giant into the competitive family vehicle market, challenging established players like Li Auto and AITO.
Branded as Pengcheng in Chinese, the SkyNomad will feature extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) technology. This plug-in hybrid system uses a small gas engine to charge the battery, effectively eliminating range anxiety for long trips.
CEO Lei Jun explained the strategy on his Weibo account. "The SU7/YU7 series is a 'driver's car,' while the SkyNomad lineup is an 'intelligent, transformable large-space SUV'," he wrote, clarifying that he's targeting a completely different type of buyer.
A Flexible Space on Wheels
Xiaomi envisions the SkyNomad as a versatile "moving space" rather than just a way to get from A to B. Development kicked off in early 2023 with the goal of creating a vehicle that adapts to the owner's life.
The design is built on Xiaomi’s new Kunlun Architecture, which provides a completely flat cabin floor and long sliding rails. This foundation allows for a highly configurable interior that can shift to meet different needs.
The vehicle can serve as a spacious family car with plenty of room for passengers and gear. When parked, it can transform into a mobile office, a lounge for relaxing, or a recreational area.
"They (car owners) want their car to be a second home," Lei said. "For them, a car is not merely a means of transport but another moving space."
The first SkyNomad model will be a full-size SUV, measuring between 5.2 and 5.3 meters long. The vehicle is reportedly known internally by the codename Kunlun N3.
Its battery pack is expected to be larger than 70 kWh, offering a pure electric range of 400 to 500 kilometers. Sunwoda and CALB have reportedly been tapped as battery suppliers.
Strategic Expansion in a Crowded Market
Xiaomi is pushing hard into large SUVs to find new growth as its core smartphone and home appliance businesses mature. Over the past two years, the EV division, led by the SU7 sedan and YU7 crossover, has already become a key part of its revenue.
The company has successfully positioned its SU7 and YU7 as high-tech challengers to Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y.
Data from auto platform DCar showed Xiaomi delivered 258,232 YU7 crossovers in China since the model's launch last year.
But the road ahead isn't easy. Xiaomi is grappling with a slowing domestic market and has yet to begin vehicle exports, a step planned for Europe next year. The auto business also demands heavy investment for much thinner profit margins than consumer electronics. The SkyNomad's hybrid EREV approach could be Xiaomi's answer to these challenges, offering a practical family vehicle that sidesteps range anxiety while the company scales its global ambitions.