In the past, thieves often targeted luxury car emblems due to superstitions. Some believed owning a prestigious emblem could help them enter top universities. In extreme cases, like Rolls-Royce, the emblems themselves have been traded at high prices. A surprising trend has emerged in China: thieves target Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra model emblem, sparking curiosity and raising questions.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is a highly popular electric vehicle (EV) in the Chinese market. Demand has outpaced supply, causing delivery delays and leading to its resale at a premium price on second-hand car platforms. While it might seem unusual for thieves to target Xiaomi’s emblem rather than those of well-known luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, there’s a unique reason behind this trend.
Why Is Xiaomi’s Emblem So Valuable?
Xiaomi’s emblem has become a target not because of superstition but because of its rising value in the second-hand market. Initially, it might seem like the emblem’s plating drives the crime, but the truth is more intriguing. The emblem of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra contains approximately 0.3g of pure gold, worth about $38. However, this small amount of gold alone doesn’t fully explain the emblem’s high value in the market.
Thanks to its immense popularity, the SU7 Ultra emblem is now worth around $200 in the Chinese second-hand market. From the second quarter to the fourth quarter of 2024, sales reached 140,000 units, and buyers lined up to pay a premium for the car. This skyrocketing demand has driven up the price of the emblem itself.
The SU7 Ultra’s Performance and Affordability
The SU7 Ultra is popular due to its incredible performance. Xiaomi created it by benchmarking the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Its zero-to-100 km/h (62 mph) time is 1.98 seconds, and its top speed is 350 km/h. In addition, it provides outrageous performance with a maximum output of 1,526 horsepower.
What makes the SU7 Ultra even more attractive is its relatively affordable price of approximately $73,000, particularly given its performance. The car’s affordability, high-performance specifications, and status as a Chinese-made product contribute to its widespread popularity in the market.
Xiaomi Must Act to Prevent Further Theft
The SU7 Ultra’s unfortunate incidents are not limited to emblem theft. It also crashed into a wall at high speed on the track and was destroyed. The vehicle reportedly traveled at 120 km/h (75 mph). Xiaomi has requested that drivers complete special driving training before driving the SU7 Ultra.
If the theft continues, Xiaomi will likely need to act to prevent further incidents and protect its customers. While the SU7 Ultra’s growing fame is a testament to its success, it also attracts unwanted attention in the form of crime. We send our deepest condolences to the owners affected by these thefts, who are victims of a crime that comes with owning such a popular vehicle.
