The dizzying wait times for Xiaomi’s first electric vehicle (EV) model, the SU7, may put off potential customers, and if they can’t wait, the smartphone maker’s chief executive will recommend other models.

“If you’re really in a hurry to buy a car, domestic new energy vehicles (NEVs) are also good, such as the Roadmaster S7, Neo ET5, and Xiaopeng P7 series, which you can also consider purchasing,” Xiaomi’s founder, chairman and CEO Lei Jun wrote on Weibo today.

He said that the Xiaomi SU7’s production capacity and delivery speed are now increasing rapidly, with deliveries of the standard and Max trim versions already starting early.

Many order holders found out in the Xiaomi EV app that the estimated delivery time was ahead of schedule, Lei said, adding that Xiaomi will detail its capacity and delivery plans at the Beijing Auto Show, which opens later this week.

Auto Beijing 2024 will take place from 25 April to 4 May, with press days from 25 to 26 April and public days from 27 April to 4 May.

Xiaomi’s booth is located at W203, Pavilion W2 of the China International Exhibition Centre (Shunyi), and this will be the company’s first time attending the auto show.

Xiaomi Electric Vehicle said on Weibo earlier today that Xiaomi’s media conference at the auto show will begin at 9:20pm local time on April 25, and the company will answer questions including how many vehicles it plans to deliver this year, when the City NOA driver assistance feature will be launched, and when the first phase of the OTA programme will be rolled out.