Former Lamborghini designer to head Xiaomi Auto’s European division
By ForGeeks
Fabian Schmoltz, formerly head of exterior design at Lamborghini, has been appointed head of Xiaomi Auto Europe’s exterior division. The move makes it clear that the Chinese tech giant, which has made a serious entry into the electric car market, is aiming for international expansion.
Fabian Schmoltz has been appointed head of exterior design at Xiaomi Auto Europe.
Schmoltz brings with him impressive experience. Before joining the legendary Italian company, he worked at Porsche, where he was involved in the development of the 718 Boxster and the VisionGT concept. Especially important for Xiaomi is the fact that he was part of the team that developed the Mission E prototype – the same project that later turned into the Porsche Taycan. This fact is of particular interest amid the reactions to Xiaomi’s first electric car.
After the SU7 sedan premiered and the YU7 crossover was announced, online users noticed familiar outlines. Many compared the SU7 to the Porsche Taycan, coining the nickname “Mi-sche” – a mix of Xiaomi and Porsche. In turn, the YU7 has been compared to the Ferrari Purosangue, dubbing it “Ferra-mi”. But for a young company, such comparisons can be both flattering and risky: the brand could lose its own identity.
The company’s general manager of industrial design, Li Tianyuan, said Xiaomi’s team is focused on creating “emotional value”. According to him, you can copy the features, but you can’t copy the emotion that a car gives. Li is convinced that the shift to electric cars offers Chinese designers a unique opportunity: the absence of a “gasoline legacy” allows them to experiment more freely and set new standards.
The hiring of a specialist involved in the genesis of the Taycan shows that Xiaomi is listening closely to the market and recognizes the value of world-class design. By bringing in European talent, the company aims to not only improve future models, but also prepare for sales in Europe.
With the hiring of European talent, the company is looking to not only improve future models, but also prepare for sales in Europe.
