14:48 09-05-2026

Xiaomi's New Car Brand Skynomad Targets Large Family SUVs

Xiaomi is reportedly launching Skynomad, a new car brand for large family SUVs with extended range. The flagship Kunlun SUV has a large battery and LiDAR, competing with Li Auto L9. Debut expected late 2026.

Xiaomi appears to be preparing more than just an expansion of its lineup — it may be launching a second car brand. According to Chinese outlets Yiche and Auto Home, the new marque could be called Skynomad and positioned below the core Xiaomi EV brand.

The target is large family SUVs with extended range. This is one of the most cutthroat segments in China, where players like Li Auto and Aito dominate by selling not just a vehicle but a mobile family space with huge screens, silent operation, and pure-electric city driving.

Skynomad's flagship model is said to be an SUV with the codename Kunlun. Recent spy photos show a big, boxy vehicle with a more rugged look than current Xiaomi models. A LiDAR bump on the roof suggests it will pack an advanced driver-assist system.

Preliminary specs indicate a battery larger than 70 kWh — a lot for a range-extender. That should give an all-electric range of around 400–500 km. That's a sweet spot for Chinese families who want daily zero-emission driving without range anxiety on longer trips.

Size-wise, the Kunlun is expected to stretch beyond 5,200 mm in length, putting it in direct competition with the Li Auto L9. That translates to generous second-row space, plenty of luggage room, and long-distance comfort. A debut is expected in the second half or toward the end of 2026.

Beyond the Kunlun, Skynomad also has the Mandao series — campers with pop-up roofs. This targets a different use case: weekend getaways and overnight stays in the outdoors. For Xiaomi, it's a natural fit: the company excels at selling an ecosystem, and a weekend-home-on-wheels slots right into that.

Meanwhile, the main Xiaomi EV brand keeps growing. At the end of May, it's set to unveil the high-performance electric SUV YU7 GT, expected to be priced between 450,000 and 500,000 yuan (roughly $66,130). In April, Xiaomi EV deliveries topped 30,000 units, and the company's 2026 target is 550,000 vehicles.

If Skynomad does hit the market, Xiaomi will transform from a single-line automaker into a full-fledged car group with multiple brands, different powertrain types, and distinct customer bases.