What happened

A Xiaomi SU7 EV traveling at high speed (116 kph) on the Dezhou-Shangrao Expressway in eastern China crashed into a cement pole while operating in Navigate on Autopilot mode. 

The collision caused the car to catch fire, reportedly trapping the driver and two passengers inside due to malfunctioning doors, leading to their deaths. 

The incident marked the first major accident involving Xiaomi's SU7 sedan, raising concerns about its safety features and autonomous driving technology.

Xiaomi's stock dropped significantly following the crash.

Why it happened

The vehicle's standard version lacked advanced LiDAR-based navigation technology, relying instead on less sophisticated vision-based systems also used by Tesla. 

Though the Autopilot system issued warnings about obstacles ahead, the driver was unable to avert the crash despite attempting to slow down. Reports suggest that the system's warning came too late for effective intervention.

Xiaomi founder Lei Jun said the car's advanced driver assistance function had been engaged at the time of the crash and that his company would take responsibility for the incident, although specific details about liability remain unclear.