Xiaomi went from selling smartphones to making profitable electric cars and turned profitable in just two years, a feat that took Tesla a decade. 

Now, the automaker has unveiled a whole new EV sub-brand called Sky Nomad; it’s answer to the outdoor and family lifestyle market. What’s even more interesting is the lineup’s first vehicle could come with a built-in retractable roof that literally pops up into a camping tent.

So what exactly is the Sky Nomad, and who is it for?

The first model in the lineup, codenamed N90, is rumored to be a full-size electric SUV with three-row seating. It is said to be over 5,300 mm in length and might carry a 3,100 mm wheelbase, which would place it in the large family SUV segment. 

Although Xiaomi hasn’t confirmed the battery pack specifications, the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) could pair an 80-kWh CATL battery pack with a 1.5-liter gas range extender for a combined range of over 1,500 kilometers (based on China’s CLTC cycle). The electric-only range is said to be around 300 miles. 

The most distinctive aspect of the purported Xiaomi SUV is the retractable roof section that lifts when deployed, effectively converting the rear of the vehicle into a two-level loft space where you can set up a mini camp. 

Does any of this actually make sense as a product?

Completely, and here’s why. EREVs are exploding in China right now because they solve the EV infrastructure and range-anxiety problems. You get the EV experience for daily drives, bringing down running costs, and the range and security of a hybrid for long road trips. 

The SUV is expected to arrive as the Xiaomi YU9 in late July, with sales kicking off in August. Xiaomi already has over 10,000 units prepped for immediate delivery, which shows the company’s confidence in the model. 

In my opinion, this is a real product with real ambition, targeted toward a specific section of buyers. It represents the company’s pivot from mass-market urban EVs toward the lucrative family and lifestyle SUV segment, which is growing faster than any other vehicle category in China.