Xiaomi is reportedly considering a second automotive brand, potentially called Skynomad, to compete in China’s fast-growing extended-range family SUV segment. The new brand would sit below the main Xiaomi EV name, with the Kunlun full-size SUV as its lead model and a larger product plan that may also include camper vans.
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi may be preparing a second automotive brand as it broadens its push into the highly competitive large-family SUV market, according to reports from Chinese auto outlets Yiche and Auto Home. The rumored sub-brand could use the English name Skynomad and would reportedly be positioned slightly below Xiaomi’s core EV brand.
The reported strategy suggests Xiaomi is not only expanding its vehicle lineup, but also segmenting its business more like a traditional automaker. That can help a company target different price bands and customer groups without diluting a flagship brand’s positioning.
Skynomad could focus on extended-range family SUVs
According to the reports, Skynomad would target the extended-range electric vehicle, or EREV, segment with an emphasis on family-oriented SUVs. The Kunlun series is expected to be the main sales driver for the brand.
The same reporting says Xiaomi also plans a Mandao series of pop-up roof camper vans, which would broaden the brand’s appeal beyond conventional SUVs. If accurate, that would give Xiaomi a more diversified product mix than many newer EV makers typically launch with.
Kunlun SUV spotted in testing
Recent spy shots appear to show a test vehicle believed to be Xiaomi’s first full-size EREV SUV, internally codenamed Kunlun. The vehicle is said to feature a new boxy, rugged design, a styling direction that would fit the large family SUV segment.
A LiDAR unit visible on the roof indicates the model is likely to support advanced driver assistance functions. That would put it in line with the increasingly technology-heavy feature set common among premium Chinese EVs and EREVs.
Large battery, long range, and a direct challenge to Li L9
The Kunlun is expected to use a battery pack larger than 70 kWh, with a claimed pure-electric range of roughly 400 to 500 kilometers. Its reported length is more than 5,200 millimeters, making it a direct competitor to large family SUVs such as Li Auto’s Li L9.
That positioning matters because the large EREV SUV market in China has become one of the most hotly contested segments in new-energy vehicles. Buyers in this category typically want long range, spacious interiors, and strong software and driver-assistance capabilities.
Launch timing and Xiaomi’s wider 2026 plan
The full-size SUV is expected to arrive between the second half of 2026 and the end of the year, according to the reports. Xiaomi is said to be treating the possible second brand as part of a broader 2026 expansion plan intended to widen its product portfolio.
Separately, Xiaomi is also preparing the YU7 GT, a high-performance battery-electric SUV, which is reportedly due at the end of May. That model is expected to cost between 450,000 yuan and 500,000 yuan (about $66,130 to $73,460 at the exchange rate cited in the source).
Why this matters
If Xiaomi does launch a second automotive brand, it would be a clear sign that the company is moving beyond a single-brand EV strategy and toward a more mature auto lineup. That can be important in China, where intense competition and fast-changing consumer demand often reward companies that can cover multiple market niches.
The rumored focus on large family EREVs is also notable because this segment remains highly attractive to Chinese buyers who want the convenience of electric driving without range anxiety. If Xiaomi can translate its consumer-tech brand power into this category, it could become a more serious long-term rival to established EV players.
Xiaomi EV delivered more than 30,000 vehicles in April, a strong rebound that supports its aggressive 2026 outlook. The company’s full-year delivery target is 550,000 vehicles.
Note: the Skynomad brand name, product details, and launch timing are based on media reports and remain unconfirmed by Xiaomi.
Why This Matters
Xiaomi is already one of the most closely watched newcomers in China’s EV market, and a second brand would signal a more ambitious industrial strategy. Instead of relying on a single nameplate family, the company appears to be preparing a broader portfolio that can address multiple price points and use cases.
The rumored move also underscores how important the large EREV family SUV market has become. This segment combines battery-electric driving for daily use with the flexibility of extended range for longer trips, making it especially appealing to Chinese households.
If Xiaomi succeeds, it would show that a consumer electronics company can use brand architecture, software, and product speed to challenge established automakers in one of the most competitive vehicle classes in China.
Key Specs
- Main series: Kunlun
- Vehicle type: Full-size extended-range SUV (EREV)
- Battery capacity: Over 70 kWh
- Pure-electric range: About 400 to 500 km
- Length: More than 5,200 mm
- Expected rival: Li Auto Li L9
- Expected launch window: Second half to end of 2026
- YU7 GT price range: 450,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan
- April Xiaomi EV deliveries: More than 30,000 units
- 2026 delivery target: 550,000 vehicles
Source: CNEVposts
