Xiaomi Skynomad pre-orders surge ahead of launch

Xiaomi’s all-new Skynomad SUV range is already shaping as the Chinese tech giant’s third automotive hit, with reports suggesting pre-orders may have exceeded 100,000 units less than three weeks after reservations opened.

The Skynomad follows the wildly successful SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV, two of the hottest-selling new vehicles in China, and could play a major role in Xiaomi’s plan to become a serious global automotive player ahead of an expected international expansion from 2027.

Chinese smartphone-maker Xiaomi appears to have another sales phenomenon on its hands, with local reports suggesting demand for its new Skynomad range has already pushed beyond 100,000 pre-orders.

The Skynomad line-up was revealed on July 30 and comprises two extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs): the five-seat N70 and larger seven-seat N90.

Pricing in China starts from 259,900 yuan ($A55,000) for the N70 and 299,900 yuan ($A64,000) for the N90 ahead of a full market launch in September.

According to Chinese outlet Cailian Press, Xiaomi dealerships across Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Chengdu have seen a substantial increase in showroom traffic since pre-sales opened.

One Beijing flagship store reportedly logged more than 300 intention deposits on its own, while cumulative reservations across the Beijing-Tianjin region are said to have surpassed 30,000 vehicles.

The strong response is significant because the Skynomad is Xiaomi's third model since entering the automotive industry in 2024.

Its debut SU7 electric sedan rapidly became one of China's most talked-about EVs after taking on the Tesla Model 3, while the recently launched YU7 SUV has already emerged as a major rival to the Tesla Model Y.

In China, the YU7 has at times outsold Tesla's best-selling SUV, further cementing Xiaomi as one of the fastest-growing new automotive brands on the planet.

Unlike the fully electric SU7 and YU7, the Skynomad range adopts a range-extender powertrain that combines battery-electric driving with a petrol-powered generator.

The N70 is positioned against vehicles such as the Li Auto L7, while the larger N90 targets family buyers seeking a three-row SUV.

Reports suggest Xiaomi is better prepared for the Skynomad launch than it was for previous rollouts.

The company has reportedly begun production at its second manufacturing facility in Beijing and is aiming to avoid the lengthy delivery waits that affected early SU7 and YU7 buyers.

With 499 retail stores nationwide and average deposits reportedly sitting between 200 and 300 units per location, analysts cited by Cailian Press believe total reservations may already have crossed the 100,000-unit mark.

The Skynomad could prove crucial to Xiaomi's ambitious growth plans.

The company reportedly delivered around 220,000 vehicles between January and July and is targeting annual sales of 550,000 units, meaning it needs a significant lift in monthly deliveries during the final months of the year.

For Australian buyers, the Skynomad is still some way off, but the signs are increasingly promising.

Xiaomi has previously outlined plans to expand its automotive business internationally from 2027, and carsales expects right-hand drive versions of its vehicles to eventually be developed.

If that occurs, an Australian launch of the Skynomad range in 2027 or 2028 appears plausible alongside the SU7 and YU7.

How much does the Xiaomi Skynomad cost?
N70 – 259,900 yuan (about $A55,000)
N90 – 299,900 yuan (about $A64,000)
*Prices converted from Chinese yuan and exclude on-road costs

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