A tragic incident involving a Xiaomi SU7 has raised serious concerns about vehicle safety and design flaws. On October 13, 2025, a 31-year-old driver, known as Deng, lost his life in a crash on Tianfu Avenue South in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The vehicle was traveling at speeds up to 203 km/h before colliding with another sedan and subsequently igniting.

The Incident

According to reports, Deng was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. After the initial collision, the SU7 lost power, disabling the electronic door handles. Bystanders’ desperate attempts to rescue him were thwarted as they could not open the doors. Witnesses described a harrowing scene where multiple combustions occurred shortly after the crash, ultimately trapping the driver inside the burning vehicle. Eyewitness accounts indicated that rescuers struggled to break a window and reach the interior door handle, but their efforts were met with failure just before an explosion.

Design Concerns with the Xiaomi SU7

The Xiaomi SU7 features electronic door handles that lack traditional mechanical emergency releases, posing significant safety risks in power-loss situations. Experts have voiced concerns about this design, which compromises egress during emergencies. In this case, after the collision, the low-voltage system failure rendered the doors inoperable, underscoring the dangers of prioritizing aesthetics over functionality.

• Speed before impact: 203 km/h
• Impact speed: 167 km/h
• Post-collision speed: 138 km/h

Previous Incidents and Regulatory Response

This incident marks the third reported fire involving Xiaomi vehicles in 2025, following similar cases that raised alarms about the SU7’s safety features. Earlier in the year, a SU7 crash in Anhui province resulted in three fatalities, also linked to issues with door accessibility after collisions. In response to these tragedies, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has mandated new regulations requiring mechanical door handles operable without power, to be implemented in new models by 2027.

Public Reaction and Broader Implications

The fallout from this accident has sparked widespread debate regarding the safety of electric vehicles, particularly concerning their door designs and battery management systems. The victim’s family has contested the assignment of blame solely to the driver, urging investigations into potential vehicle malfunctions leading up to the crash. As the automotive industry grapples with evolving safety standards, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of design decisions that may prioritize style over safety.

As discussions continue, the implications for manufacturers like Xiaomi are profound. With mounting scrutiny over vehicle safety, the industry must address these challenges to regain public trust and ensure the safety of future vehicle designs.