After roles at Porsche and Lamborghini, his new role will be Head of Exterior Design for Xiaomi Auto Europe.
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has significantly strengthened its automotive design capabilities with the appointment of Fabian Schmölz, the former Chief Exterior Designer at Lamborghini, as the Head of Exterior Design for Xiaomi Auto Europe.
This strategic move underscores Xiaomi’s serious intent to compete globally in the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly with its planned entry into the European market by 2027 .
Schmölz brings a formidable reputation from his tenure at two of the world’s most prestigious automotive marques, Lamborghini and Porsche, at which his notable works include the Temerario hybrid supercar, the Lanzador concept, and at Porsche the 718 Boxster, Vision GT concept, the Mission E prototype, which ultimately evolved into the production Porsche Taycan, a car the Xiaomi SU7 is considered heavily influenced by.
His recruitment is viewed as a direct response to past design critiques of Xiaomi’s initial models.
The company’s first vehicles, the SU7 sedan and the YU7 SUV, achieved notable market attention but also sparked debates online regarding their aesthetic originality.
Some observers noted similarities between the SU7 and the Porsche Taycan, dubbing it “Mi-sche,” while the YU7 drew comparisons to the Ferrari Purosangue, leading to the nickname “Ferra-mi”.
In response to such discussions, Li Tianyuan, General Manager of Industrial Design at Xiaomi Auto, has previously articulated a philosophy focused on creating “emotional value” and designs that are “scientific, compliant with natural laws, and intuitive,” suggesting a focus on innate user experience over imitation .
Schmölz’s appointment is a central pillar in Xiaomi’s broader international strategy, and he will take on the role at the company’s European research and development centre in Schwabmünchen, Germany, which is rapidly becoming a hub for top automotive talent.
This centre, located strategically near BMW’s headquarters in Munich, is led by Rudolf Dittrich, a former BMW限量车型部门总经理 (Limited Series Vehicle Department General Manager).
Schmölz’s appointment is not an isolated case, his hiring following the recent acquisition of other high-profile European designers, including Kai Langer, the former head of BMW’s i series design, who joined in August.
This concerted effort to assemble a “design all-star team” signals a determined push to enhance original design capabilities and develop vehicles that resonate specifically with European consumers’ tastes and expectations .
This trend of esteemed Western designers migrating to Chinese automotive brands reflects a significant shift in the global industry’s centre of gravity with Chinese EV manufacturers, backed by substantial resources and a clear ambition to innovate and export, actively seeking world-class expertise to elevate their design credentials and global appeal.
For renowned designers, these roles offer unparalleled opportunities to lead projects and shape the future of mobility from the ground up, often with fewer constraints than at legacy Western OEMs.
Xiaomi’s aggressive investment in talent and design is underpinned by strong commercial performance in its domestic market.
The company reported delivering over 30,000 units in August for the second consecutive month, with cumulative deliveries from January to August exceeding 270,000 vehicles.
Financially, its auto division saw Q2 2024 revenue surpass 20.6 billion yuan, a near 200% year-on-year increase, with毛利率 (gross profit margin) reaching 26.4%.
