An electric Xiaomi SU7 crashed in Chengdu, Sichuan, China on Monday, October 13, killing its 31‑year‑old driver and sparking concerns over its electronic door‑lock system.
Electric Car Accident in China
Video footage of the crash spread online after it occurred on Monday 13 October in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The Xiaomi SU7 was travelling at high speed when it collided with another vehicle, then veered onto the opposite lane and came to rest in the middle of the road. Reports indicate the driver, 31, was likely intoxicated.
Driver Killed, Witnesses Unable to Assist
Social‑media clips show bystanders rushing to help, but the vehicle’s doors were jammed. Attempts to pry the door and break the windshield failed, probably due to a malfunction that locked the doors. The car’s flames turned it into a lethal trap; the 31‑year‑old died on the scene and the body could only be removed after the fire was extinguished.
Questions Raised After the Incident
The incident prompted online debate about the SU7’s safety, especially its electronic door‑lock feature popularized by Tesla and now present on other brands. Earlier reports of similar failures during fires or loss of power have fueled skepticism. In the United States, the NHTSA is investigating 174,000 Tesla Model Y vehicles after numerous lock‑out complaints. Chinese authorities are considering banning the feature in new cars to avoid related dangers.
Xiaomi Shares Drop
The crash had a sharp effect on Xiaomi’s stock. Shares fell 8.7 % in China’s markets, the steepest decline since April. By market close the loss was more than 5 %. Xiaomi launched the SU7 in March last year. It was among the company’s best‑selling electric models, with sales surpassing Tesla Model 3 since December 2024. Earlier in March, a serious crash involving an SU7 while it was in Navigate‑on‑Autopilot mode at 116 km/h killed three people, after the driver tried to regain control and struck a concrete pillar. Shares subsequently slid 5.5 %.
