Kazunori Yamauchi, producer of the Gran Turismo series, called Xiaomi “greater than Google and Apple” during an interview at the 2026 Beijing International Auto Show.
He said his admiration grew after visiting Shanghai to watch a Formula 1 race and first meeting the Xiaomi team, realizing the company’s reach beyond smartphones into home appliances, automobiles, and semiconductors.
“Xiaomi does not only build smart phones, but also home appliances, cars, and recently entered semiconductors, which is remarkably rare,” Yamauchi stated, according to the report. “These things Google has not done, Apple has not done. Only after truly understanding did I know how great this company is.”
Yamauchi was impressed by Xiaomi’s electric vehicle performance on the track
He recalled testing the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra at the Nürburgring, where he drove four laps at high intensity without being overtaken and finished with 25 percent battery remaining.
The SU7 Ultra accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 1.98 seconds and has set lap records at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.
Yamauchi previously said he doubted electric vehicles could perform well on tracks due to battery overheating and weight, but his experience changed his view.
Xiaomi is the first Chinese brand invited to Vision Gran Turismo
At the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, Xiaomi unveiled the domestic debut of its Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo concept car, which had premiered globally at MWC 2026 in Barcelona in February.
The Xiaomi Vision GT features a quad-motor four-wheel-drive system with combined power exceeding 1,000 kilowatts, or about 1,360 horsepower, zero-to-100-kilometer-per-hour acceleration in under one second, and a top speed over 350 kilometers per hour.
Historically, only brands like Bugatti, Ferrari, and Porsche have participated in the Vision Gran Turismo project, making Xiaomi’s inclusion a sign of international recognition for Chinese electric vehicle technology.
More Chinese electric vehicles are expected to join Gran Turismo
Yamauchi said China’s electric vehicle technology is advanced and many users enjoy both electric cars and gaming, so he expects more Chinese models to be added to the Gran Turismo series.
He confirmed that the Yangwang U9 Xtreme from BYD will turn into the second Chinese car in Gran Turismo 7 after the SU7 Ultra.
Xiaomi Auto has set a 2026 delivery target of 550,000 vehicles, a significant increase from 2025, indicating rapid growth in its automotive business.
Why did Kazunori Yamauchi praise Xiaomi?
He said his respect for Xiaomi grew after learning about its diverse business beyond smartphones, including home appliances, cars, and semiconductors, which he noted Google and Apple have not achieved.
What makes the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra notable in Gran Turismo 7?
It is the first Chinese car in the series, launched in January 2026, and praised by Yamauchi for its track performance, including completing four Nürburgring laps without being overtaken and retaining 25 percent battery.