The Xiaomi SU7 has undoubtedly created a sensation in China, but many of the drivers the car attracts are first-time EV buyers and many even are not particularly experienced drivers. This is likely the root cause of many of the crashes that have occurred with the car. However, new issues are emerging with the SU7 (see specs), and some are almost certainly caused by the type of buyer the car attracts. The latest headlines the car is making are worries that the frunk will be flooded, along with OTA’s not working due to parts of the car having been replaced.
Recently, several car owners have reported problems with OTAs, with an upgrade error being reported. This occurred where owners replaced upgradable parts, such as headlights, with non-Xiaomi ones. All such parts have security keys for authentication management. During an OTA, these keys will be verified, and the upgrade cannot occur if there is a mismatch between the identification keys. According to a Xiaomi official, if the original part is then refitted, the upgrade can be fully installed.
The most recent Xiaomi OTA is the HyperOS 1.2.0 system, which, as part of it, has provided lane-level navigation on highways and urban expressways. For eligible drivers, this includes city NOA (navigation on autopilot). This requires cars fitted with the Xiaomi Pilot Max intelligent driving system. Both the SU7 Pro and SU7 Max versions have the necessary hardware. Drivers also need to have accumulated 1,000 kilometers of safe intelligent driving.
While car modification may be nothing new, the worries about the frunk show that many Xiaomi owners are novices regarding car ownership. The Xiaomi SU7 has one of the largest frunk spaces in an EV, with a capacity of 105 liters, which is more than the 89 liters in a Tesla Model S and 84 liters in a Porsche Taycan. It seems, though, that owners are worried that when it rains, the frunk will fill with water!
To allay these worries, Xiaomi has answered that the SU7 has a sealing strip in the front truck so that under normal usage, the space, which is the largest in the Chinese market, will not get water in it. However, in the case that a liquid is accidentally spilled in the space, there are two small rubber plugs in the frunk, to the left and right of the front, which can be removed to drain the liquid. Any remaining liquid can then be dried using a cloth.
Editor’s note:
Xiaomi seems intent on locking customers into an ecosystem. Whether this is to a greater extent than other producers is difficult to say. Certainly, as cars become more sophisticated in terms of computing power, it is possible to restrict owners from making changes to the car.
Sources: Fast Technology, Fast Technology
