"Is the Xiaomi SU7 really safe?" Mr. Li from Leiyang, Hunan, is feeling quite distressed recently.
On May 8th, he parked his car downstairs. A few minutes later, he went upstairs only to find smoke coming from the car's front. He immediately called for help, but the 120 emergency system did not respond promptly. It took a full 30 minutes for rescue personnel to arrive, by which time the vehicle was completely burnt.
After the incident, Mr. Li learned from Xiaomi Auto that the secondary brake misjudged the main brake failure, leading to an emergency brake and eventually causing the car to catch fire. The vehicle has since been repaired and is reportedly in normal condition.
This incident quickly sparked discussions among netizens. Some expressed understanding, considering Xiaomi Auto reliable, while others doubted the seriousness of the issue and the delayed reporting.
Mr. Li has sued Xiaomi Auto, demanding compensation totaling 60.000 yuan. However, his lawyer mentioned that the court suggested withdrawing the lawsuit, considering the negative impact on both parties and hoping for an amicable resolution.
Why Did the Fire Occur, and Why Did the Owner Sue Xiaomi?
Brake Failure and Smoke?
On May 12th, a reporter visited the scene at Sanhe Community in Leiyang City. According to local residents, the location was originally a parking lot. "It used to be full of cars, but now only a small part remains," one resident said.
At noon on the day of the incident, some residents witnessed the entire process. One man parked his car in the lot, and within a few minutes, the car started emitting warning sounds. Shortly after, someone called 120. but the call went unanswered.
After 30 minutes, the police and firefighters arrived, evacuating the crowd and removing the burnt vehicle. By then, it was reduced to an empty shell.
"I heard it was a brake system problem," said a nearby convenience store owner.
However, Mr. Li disagrees. He posted on his WeChat Moments that he called for help first, not after the 120 call went unanswered.
"I never thought it was a brake issue!" Mr. Li told reporters. He explained that he is a careful driver and left the engine running because he was in a hurry. "If I had gotten out immediately, I might have avoided the accident," he lamented.
Regarding the smoke, Mr. Li speculated that an air conditioning unit might have leaked electricity, causing a short circuit. But this explanation was not supported by nearby residents. One local merchant remarked, "These new energy vehicles often have such problems!"
Misjudged Brake Failure?
On May 13th, the reporter contacted Xiaomi Auto headquarters. They promised to arrange a PR contact for further communication.
Later, Xiaomi Auto sent a situation report stating that an internal investigation and third-party assessment revealed that the vehicle issue was due to a fault in the motor control unit. The secondary brake misjudged a main brake failure, triggering an emergency stop and causing a fire in the rear right section. The motor control unit fault was an isolated incident, with no battery pack or motor rotor hardware issues.
The report also cited Article 23 of the "Regulations on the Repair, Replacement, and Return of Household Automotive Products," which states that during the warranty period, consumers can choose to continue warranty services or request replacements. Based on this, Xiaomi suggested replacing the vehicle control module assembly to ensure safety and offered to cover the costs of parts and associated services. They also proposed compensation for the negative impact caused.
Mr. Li, however, did not accept the "misjudgment" explanation, insisting it was a quality issue. Discussions on compensation are ongoing, with Mr. Li's lawyer noting that they haven't agreed on an amount and might seek other means to protect their rights if necessary.
Future Developments?
China's "Regulations on the Repair, Replacement, and Return of Household Automotive Products" state that during the warranty period, consumers can request free repairs, replacements, or returns for quality issues. The general warranty period is two years or 60.000 kilometers, whichever comes first.
For electric vehicles, the warranty period does not cover core components like batteries and motors. Even within this period, manufacturers often do not cover severe quality issues like vehicle fires, leaving consumers to bear high repair costs.
In a previous incident in Guangzhou, a Tesla owner spent nearly 100.000 yuan to repair her vehicle after it suddenly burst into flames.
For the Xiaomi SU7. priced at 199.800 yuan, Mr. Li feels he received a vehicle at half price. "This price doesn't offer much assurance," he said, uncertain about recovering his losses.
