In a remarkable feat, Xiaomi managed to sell nearly 90,000 units of the Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan in just one day. However, it’s important to note that the deposit for the car, which amounts to $695, can only be refunded within a limited timeframe.
Originally, the deposit could only be returned within a few days. However, Xiaomi has now extended the refund period to seven days, but only until the end of April. This change aims to accommodate the growing number of potential owners who are eager to test drive the company’s first car.
During the initial 30 minutes of pre-orders, Xiaomi received an impressive volume of 50,000 reservations. By the end of the first day, this number had risen to a staggering 88,898 cars. The majority of these orders are expected to convert into purchases for two key reasons. Firstly, Lei Zun, the company’s spokesperson, acknowledged that the car, especially in the basic and medium configurations, is offered at a disadvantageous price. Secondly, the deposit can only be refunded if swift action is taken.
The deposit, which is approximately $695 (or 65,000 rubles), can be returned within three days. However, due to the high demand for test drives and the novelty of the car, Xiaomi has extended this period to seven days until the end of April. After this timeframe, the deposit amount becomes non-refundable, and the car configuration chosen by the customer proceeds to production. If a potential buyer is confident in their decision and car configuration, they have the option to lock in the deposit themselves, expediting the production process.
Despite the availability of refund options, the number of individuals willing to return their deposit remains low. As of noon on March 29, Xiaomi had only received 469 refund requests. This indicates the strong commitment and excitement among potential buyers to own the Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan.