- Between April 2024 and January 2025, Xiaomi sold 162,384 SU7s across the country.
- Tesla managed to sell 152,748 Model 3s over the same period in China.
- Xiaomi will soon go after the Tesla Model Y with its YU7 electric SUV.
Breaking into a heavily contested EV market like China is no easy feat, but Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has done what many established automakers couldn’t: launch a first-ever electric vehicle that outsold the Tesla Model 3—at least in China. Sales data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) between April 2024 and January 2025 confirms that Xiaomi’s SU7 managed to edge out the Model 3, a major feat for the company’s automotive debut.
Production of the sleek SU7 began in April 2024, with customer deliveries starting shortly after. It enjoyed a very strong start, with no less than 30,000 examples sold across April, May, and June. In April, 7,058 units were sold, which was enough to surpass the 5,065 Model 3s sold during the same month. What’s perhaps most impressive is that demand for the SU7 steadily rose throughout 2024 and never failed to die off, as can often be the case with new EVs.
Read: Xiaomi Wants To Sell More Than 300,000 Cars In 2025
The Tesla Model 3 ended the April-June period with 38,446 units, easily eclipsing the SU7. Across July-September, the Tesla maintained its edge, with 52,052 examples finding new homes across the country. By comparison, 39,790 SU7s were sold during the same three months. Sales of the Xiaomi then surged in October, November, and December, easily eclipsing the Model 3.
Whereas Tesla managed to sell 52,241 Model 3s during this period, Xiaomi sold 69,697 SU7s. This included 20,726 in October, 23,156 in November, and 25,815 in December. Strong demand for the Xiaomi has continued into 2025 and 22,897 were sold in January. While that’s down on December’s figures, the Chinese New Year holiday period usually leads to a drop in vehicle sales. In January, Tesla sold just 8,009 Model 3s.
Overall, according to X user Troy Teslike, who cited official figures from the China Passenger Car Association, Xiaomi delivered 162,384 SU7s between April 2024 and January 2025, surpassing the 152,748 Model 3s Tesla sold in the same period.
For the first time, total sales of the Xiaomi SU7 have surpassed Tesla's Model 3 in China since deliveries began in April 2024.
— Troy Teslike (@TroyTeslike) February 15, 2025
Sales in China (Apr 2024 – Jan 2025):
• Tesla Model 3: 152,748
• Xiaomi SU7: 162,384
Xiaomi, best known for its smartphones in China and Europe,… pic.twitter.com/dQrVEjwyL2
Can Xiaomi Beat The Tesla Model Y?
The Chinese brand is also chasing after Tesla with its second model. In December, it previewed the new YU7, a direct rival to the Tesla Model Y. Like the SU7, it could undercut the Tesla on price while coming standard with more features and a more premium design.
Given how popular crossovers and SUVs have become in recent years, it’s entirely possible the YU7 could outsell the SU7. Whether or not it can top the Model Y is a different story. Last year, the Tesla was China’s best-selling new car with 480,309 examples finding new homes. Matching or exceeding that won’t be easy for Xiaomi.
