Former Lamborghini chief exterior designer joins Xiaomi as head of European Design

Fabian Schmolz, who recently led exterior design at Lamborghini, will now take on the role of Head of Exterior Design for Xiaomi Auto Europe. The hire sends a clear message that the Chinese tech giant, now a serious player in the electric car market, has its sights set firmly on international expansion.

Schmolz brings an impressive resume to the ambitious EV maker. Before his work on the the famous Italian supercar company, he spent years at Porsche. There, he contributed to the design of several cars, including the 718 Boxster and the VisionGT concept. What’s really important for Xiaomi is the fact that he was part of the team that penned the Mission E prototype, the very concept car that would later become the Porsche Taycan. This not-so-tiny detail is especially interesting, given the public’s reaction to Xiaomi’s first electric car.

When Xiaomi launched its first EVs, the SU7 sedan and the upcoming YU7 SUV, the internet quickly noticed some familiar shapes. Many people pointed out that the sleek lines of the Xiaomi SU7 looked a lot like the Porsche Taycan. This led to the creation of the nickname “Mi-sche,” a mash-up of Xiaomi and Porsche.

Similarly, the YU7 has been compared to the Ferrari Purosangue, earning it the label “Ferra-mi.” While imitation can be a form of flattery, for a new company trying to build its own brand, such comparisons can be a double-edged sword.

Li Tianyuan, the company’s General Manager of Industrial Design, explained that his team focuses on creating “emotional value.” He argues that while you can copy performance numbers, you cannot copy the feeling a car gives you.

According to Li, Xiaomi’s design goal is to create cars that are scientific and feel natural and intuitive. He also believes that the shift to electric cars gives Chinese designers a unique opportunity to get ahead. Without the long history of gasoline cars to hold them back, they are free to innovate and create new designs for the EV era.

Hiring a designer who was directly involved with the Taycan’s origins, shows the company is listening to the market and understands the importance of world-class design. By bringing in top European talent, Xiaomi is looking to improve its future electric cars, but it’s also preparing to sell them in Europe.

Having a European design studio led by a respected local designer will help the company create vehicles that appeal directly to European buyers. At the same time, this strategic hire suggests that future Xiaomi EVs may move away from designs that echo other famous cars. With Schmölz leading the European design team, the company has a chance to develop a truly unique identity that can compete on the global stage.

Via