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On the night of March 29, 2025, a tragic accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle resulted in the deaths of three female university students on the Dezhou–Shangrao Expressway in Anhui Province, China. This incident marks the first widely reported fatal accident involving Xiaomi’s flagship electric vehicle since its market debut in March 2024.
According to Xiaomi’s official statement released on April 1, the SU7 was operating in “Navigate on Autopilot” (NOA) mode, traveling at 116 kilometers per hour. As the vehicle approached a construction zone where traffic was diverted, the system detected an obstacle, issued a warning, and began to decelerate. The driver then took manual control, continuing to brake and steer, but ultimately collided with a concrete barrier at approximately 97 kilometers per hour.
Xiaomi provided a detailed timeline of the events leading up to the crash:
- 10:27:17 PM: NOA activated, vehicle speed at 116 km/h.
- 10:28:17 PM: Mild distraction warning issued.
- 10:36:48 PM: NOA issued a hands-off warning: “Please hold the steering wheel.”
- 10:44:24 PM: NOA issued a risk warning: “Please note obstacle ahead,” with a deceleration request.
- 10:44:25 PM: Driver took over from NOA, entering manual driving mode, steering wheel turned 22.0625 degrees left, brake pedal pressed 31%.
- 10:44:26 PM: Steering wheel turned 1.0625 degrees right, brake pedal pressed 38%.
- Between 10:44:26–28 PM: The vehicle collided with a concrete barrier.
- 10:44:28 PM: Vehicle eCall triggered.
- 10:44:39 PM: eCall connected, accident confirmed, police and emergency services contacted.
- 10:45:06 PM: Contact was established with the vehicle owner, who confirmed that the non-owner was driving.
- 10:47:15 PM: Emergency medical services successfully dispatched.
- At approximately 11:00 PM: Emergency services arrived at the scene.
In response to concerns about door functionality post-collision, Xiaomi clarified that all four doors of the SU7 are equipped with mechanical emergency release handles located in the storage compartment area of each door panel. These handles are designed to function mechanically, allowing doors to be opened even if the battery is damaged.
Company Response and Stock Impact
Xiaomi has formed a special investigation team to cooperate fully with police authorities and has pledged to assist the victims’ families while maintaining transparency throughout the investigation. Following the announcement of the accident, Xiaomi Group’s stock price experienced a decline of more than 5% during trading, reflecting investor concerns over the incident’s potential impact on the company’s electric vehicle ambitions.
The SU7 is Xiaomi’s inaugural electric vehicle, launched in March 2024, marking the company’s expansion from consumer electronics into the automotive industry. The vehicle has been marketed for its advanced driver-assistance features, including the NOA system, which is designed to assist with navigation and obstacle detection. However, this tragic incident has raised public concerns about the safety and reliability of such systems, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in electric vehicles across China.
