A Xiaomi car reportedly started and drove off on its own

In the EV race, safety may prove to be the ultimate differentiator.

🚗 Xiaomi Car Incident Raises Safety Concerns

In Weihai, Shandong, China, a car owner reported that his parked Xiaomi vehicle unexpectedly started and drove off on its own.

Surveillance footage showed the blue car emitting a signal before moving forward, even though the owner and his wife were inside their home.

When the owner contacted Xiaomi Auto’s customer service, he was told the car may have been activated by “accidental phone touch.”

He rejected that explanation, saying neither of them was operating a phone at the time.

The case has sparked heated debate online, with users questioning whether the incident reflects a flaw in the vehicle’s design or even a potential cybersecurity issue.

Comments ranged from criticism of “safety gaps” in remote functions to speculation about hacking.

The episode underscores the broader challenges facing automakers as they roll out increasingly connected and autonomous features.

Reliability, security, and consumer trust will be central to adoption — and even a single unexplained malfunction can raise doubts.

As competition among Xiaomi, BYD, Tesla, and others intensifies, the real differentiator may not be speed of innovation — but who can make “smart” cars safest.