Xiaomi Extended-Range SUV Supply Chain Revealed: Zejing and Hesai Set to Benefit
N.R. Finch
Xiaomi Auto plans to unveil two flagship extended-range SUVs and their supplier ecosystem on July 30. Zejing (泽景) and Hesai (禾赛) are positioned as core beneficiaries — signaling that Xiaomi is reshaping its supply chain through deep customization rather than off-the-shelf procurement.
Why isn't Xiaomi just buying a standard range-extender system?
Xiaomi developed its own "Kunlun Super Range-Extender" in deep partnership with Dongan Power (东安动力), bypassing the industry's standard supplier kits.
Out of more than 200 components, 7 core parts — roughly half the system's cost — were redesigned from scratch, targeting noise and vibration control for range-extended vehicles.
This means → for SUVs weighing over 2.8 tonnes, Xiaomi is betting on in-house calibration over turnkey supply, trading development complexity for better balance among energy efficiency, comfort, and maintenance cycles.
What makes Zejing the pick for AR-HUD?
The new models will feature smart, flexible cabin design. AR-HUD — augmented-reality head-up display, projecting navigation and speed data directly onto the windshield — is expected to be a core feature, with Zejing (泽景) widely seen as the key supplier.
Zejing listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in February 2026. Its optical architecture supports longer throw distances and wider fields of view while reducing windshield ghosting distortion, narrowing the gap with foreign incumbents.
In plain terms = high-end HUD has been foreign brands' turf; Zejing is the domestic player closest to breaking in.
What hurdles does Zejing face in mass production?
Every vehicle model has a differently curved windshield. Zejing must adapt its optical design to each one — a direct test of hardware yield.
AR-HUD also requires low-latency fusion with ADAS sensor data (cameras, radar used for driver assistance). If the overlay lags behind real road conditions, the feature fails.
This means → whether Zejing can move from "winning the design-in" to "stable high-volume delivery" is the market's next checkpoint.
What role does Hesai play in Xiaomi's architecture?
Hesai Technology (禾赛科技) is expected to remain the core lidar supplier for Xiaomi's Kunlun platform. The new N90 Max and N70 Max flagship SUVs will carry Hesai's latest high-resolution, long-range lidar units for complex urban driving.
As Xiaomi's Phase 2 factory ramps up capacity, Hesai's automotive-grade sensor shipments stand to gain incremental volume, reinforcing its sales momentum.
In plain terms = the more cars Xiaomi sells, the more sensors Hesai ships — a deeply coupled supply relationship.
What is the core logic behind this playbook?
Xiaomi's strategy boils down to one line: deep customization over standard procurement, internalizing control of critical components.
It simultaneously leverages domestic suppliers — Zejing in optics, Hesai in perception — drawing on their technical depth to build a differentiated competitive moat.
This reflects something larger: Xiaomi is not just building cars but attempting to set its own supply-chain rules. Whether this strategy delivers on its performance promises at mass-production scale remains the key variable for assessing Xiaomi Auto's long-term competitiveness.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.