Xiaomi plans Europe sales from 2027, right-hand drive in 2028
Xiaomi has signed memoranda with eight German dealer groups ahead of a planned 2027 European start and says it plans right-hand-drive production in early 2028. It has not officially named the UK, so here is what is planned and what is not.
Quick answers
- Xiaomi Auto said at IFA Berlin that it plans to start selling electric cars in Europe in 2027, beginning with Germany.
- It signed memoranda of understanding with eight German dealer groups, including Emil Frey Germany and Hahn Automobile, which points to sales through franchised retailers in Germany.
- Xiaomi plans to start right-hand-drive production in early 2028 and to enter right-hand-drive markets in the first half of 2028.
- Xiaomi has not officially named the UK, and no UK price, trim list or date has been announced.
Xiaomi Auto plans to start selling electric cars in Europe in 2027, beginning in Germany, and to follow with right-hand-drive markets in the first half of 2028. The UK is a likely candidate, but Xiaomi has not officially named it, so UK drivers should treat 2028 as a plan rather than a commitment. There is no UK price, model list or order date.
What did Xiaomi announce?
At IFA Berlin, Xiaomi signed memoranda of understanding with eight of Germany’s largest dealer groups: Ernst Dello, Autohaus Dinnebier, Emil Frey Germany, Fett & Wirtz, Hahn Automobile, LUEG Mobility, Penske-Jacobs Innovation and SPT Avior (Gasgoo). The agreements cover sales and service, the retail and aftersales network Xiaomi needs before a single car is delivered. Coverage names the SU7 and YU7 as the cars heading to Germany first (Pasquale Pillitteri).
An earlier roadmap, reported in April, put the European debut in the second half of 2027, so the 2027 start is a plan whose month is not fixed (EqualOcean).
When could Xiaomi reach the UK?
Xiaomi says it will begin right-hand-drive production in early 2028 and enter right-hand-drive markets in the first half of that year (ArenaEV). It has not officially named the countries, so the UK is expected rather than confirmed.
| Stage | Timing | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer agreements in Germany | September 2026 | Memoranda signed (eight groups) |
| European sales start, Germany first | 2027 | Planned, stated by Xiaomi |
| Right-hand-drive production | Early 2028 | Planned |
| Right-hand-drive markets | First half of 2028 | Planned, countries not named |
| UK price and trims | Not announced | Unknown |
How will Xiaomi sell its cars?
In Germany Xiaomi has chosen established franchised dealer groups, several of which already sell premium brands. That is closer to the way Chinese brands are building UK networks than to a direct-sales model. A UK network has not been announced, so how you would buy, service and finance a Xiaomi here remains open.
Why does 2028 matter for UK drivers?
Right-hand-drive production is the gating item. Cars built for left-hand-drive European markets cannot simply be sold in Britain, so Xiaomi’s UK timing depends on that production starting in early 2028, as it says it will. If it slips, UK sales slip with it. Germany, as a left-hand-drive market, does not depend on that production.
On Xiaomi’s stated plans, a British showroom would follow the German start by a year or more, and delays are possible. We will report a UK date only when Xiaomi states one.
What about tariffs and prices?
No UK prices exist. What does matter is trade policy: the UK and the EU treat Chinese-built electric cars differently, and Xiaomi’s cars are expected to be imported from China. Our explainers on UK tariffs on Chinese electric cars and the EU and UK rules of origin from 2027 set out the rules that will shape the final price, and our most anticipated electric cars list tracks what else is due.
What do we still not know?
Xiaomi has not published UK prices, battery sizes, range figures or a UK dealer plan. It has not said which markets make up its first right-hand-drive wave, and it has not confirmed the UK will be in it. Until it does, any UK date you see quoted elsewhere is an estimate built on the German announcement and the 2028 right-hand-drive timeline.
How crowded will the market be by 2028?
Xiaomi would arrive in a market where Chinese brands already hold a large share. Chinese brands took 23% of UK car sales in September, and BYD set a record that month. A newcomer will need a dealer network and a price that stands out against established rivals, not only a strong brand at home.
What this means for you
If you are tempted by a Xiaomi, there is nothing to order and nothing to put a deposit on. On Xiaomi’s plans the earliest window is the first half of 2028, and only if the UK is included. Anyone offering a Xiaomi car in Britain now is selling a parallel import, without official UK manufacturer backing.
If you need a car sooner, look at what is on sale today. Our guide to electric cars under £30,000 is a better starting point, and we will update this page when Xiaomi names its UK plans.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When will Xiaomi electric cars go on sale in the UK?
Xiaomi has not announced a UK date. It plans to start European sales in Germany in 2027 and to enter right-hand-drive markets in the first half of 2028. It has not officially named those markets, though some coverage expects the UK to be among them.
Which Xiaomi cars could come to Europe?
Coverage of the IFA announcement names the SU7 and YU7 as the cars heading to Germany first. No UK model line-up, battery sizes or prices have been announced.
Will Xiaomi sell directly to UK buyers?
Nothing is confirmed for the UK. In Germany Xiaomi has chosen established franchised dealer groups rather than direct sales, which points to a retailer-led model, though no UK network has been announced.
Can I buy a Xiaomi car in the UK now?
No. Xiaomi has no official UK sales, so any car offered here today would be a parallel import without official UK manufacturer backing.
Sources and further reading
- electrek.coElectrekPrimary source referenced in this article.
- pasqualepillitteri.itXiaomi confirms 2027 Europe launch, Germany goes first with the SU7 and YU7Germany first in 2027 with the SU7 and YU7.
- autonews.gasgoo.comXiaomi Auto signs German dealer partners ahead of 2027 European launchThe eight German dealer groups and the IFA Berlin announcement.
- just-auto.comXiaomi set to enter the European market in 2027Industry coverage of the 2027 European entry.
- arenaev.comXiaomi reveals when its European launch is coming and what its initial focus will beRight-hand-drive production and market entry timing.
- equalocean.comChinese technology giant Xiaomi EV global roadmap confirmed, 2027 Europe debutApril 2026 roadmap: Europe in the second half of 2027, right-hand-drive markets in the first half of 2028.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
Related reading
View all
New electric cars 2027: UK launches, prices and delivery dates
From the MG2 at an estimated £20,000 to the £173,330 Bentley Torcal, here are the notable electric cars due to reach UK buyers in 2027, with what is confirmed and what is not.
BYD hits record 20,129 UK sales in September, second only to VW
BYD outsold every brand except Volkswagen without any Electric Car Grant help, and plug-in hybrids appear to have done much of the lifting. Here is what its push means for deals and resale values.
Chinese brands take 23.3% of UK car sales as Jaecoo 7 tops September
Nearly one in four new cars sold in September came from a Chinese brand, even though cars built in China get no Electric Car Grant. Here is what it means for prices, discounts and resale.
EU-built EVs face 10% UK tariff from January 2027 rule change
From 1 January 2027 stricter trade-deal rules mean most EVs shipped from the EU to Britain would not qualify for tariff-free entry. Carmakers want a delay. Here is what it could mean for the price of your next electric car.
UK weighs Chinese EV tariffs of up to 45%: what it means for prices
The Times reports that ministers are drawing up options to match the EU's duties, which would end Britain's open door to Chinese-built EVs. Nothing is decided, and the government has not confirmed a plan.
Chinese EV Brands in the UK: Who Is Here and Are They Any Good?
BYD, MG, Xpeng, NIO, Leapmotor and Jaecoo are all selling in Britain -- here is an honest assessment of what each offers