Xiaomi has begun hiring in Sydney for automotive legal and finance roles, a move that signals concrete preparations for selling right-hand-drive electric vehicles across Asia-Pacific starting in 2028.
The Chinese tech giant plans its first overseas vehicle debut in Europe during the second half of 2027. Australia, however, now emerges as an operational anchor for the broader regional rollout.
Two job listings appeared under Xiaomi Technology. One seeks a Senior Legal Counsel for automotive operations in Australia, covering vehicle sales, after-sales handling, contracts, and regulatory work. That position also hints at future team leadership responsibilities.
The second opening targets a Product Manager for International Instalment Finance across APAC. Responsibilities include designing installment payment products, partnering with banks and leasing companies, managing pricing, residual values, and business performance metrics.
Australian outlets Drive and CarExpert both reported expectations for local showroom arrival in 2028. Xiaomi has not yet revealed which models, price points, or retail partners will anchor its Australian entry.
The European blueprint offers clues. At IFA Berlin in September, Xiaomi signed memorandums of understanding with eight German dealer groups, including Emil Frey Germany and Hahn Automobile. Those agreements remain non-binding but outline the intended distribution structure.
Xiaomi president Lu Weibing laid out the timeline at an April 2026 investor event: Europe first, then right-hand-drive markets including Australia and Japan in early 2028.
RHD engineering extends far beyond moving the steering wheel. Manufacturers must reconfigure pedal assemblies, dashboard layouts, wiring, HVAC routing, airbag positioning, and driver-assistance calibration. A single RHD platform could serve Australia, the UK, Japan, and New Zealand, all participants in the UN 1958 harmonization framework.
Two current models likely form the export foundation. The SU7 sedan established Xiaomi’s EV credentials, while the YU7 SUV targets crossover-heavy markets like Australia and Britain. The YU7 generated over 240,000 locked-in orders within 18 hours of its China launch, though domestic sales later cooled to 11,820 units by September 2026.
Sydney’s recruitment drive marks an early operational step in what will become a multi-year international expansion effort spanning approvals, distribution, service networks, parts supply, and financing.
