Xiaomi YU7 Accused of Resembling Ferrari Purosangue, Reignites Plagiarism Controversy

On May 22, Xiaomi Automotive unveiled its first SUV model, the YU7.

However, what should have been a product-focused launch event became mired in controversy due to a social media post by Ferrari China and remarks made by automotive critic Chen Zhen on Weibo. Accusations of “plagiarism” reignited public debate.

As early as December 2024, when the YU7 first appeared in regulatory filings from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), its sleek coupe-like SUV design drew comparisons to Ferrari’s first SUV model, the Purosangue. Netizens jokingly dubbed it “the first Ferrari for the young,” with some media outlets claiming “pixel-level similarities” in design elements such as the front-end proportions and fastback roofline. Despite Xiaomi’s insistence that the YU7 was an evolution of its SU7 family design—enhanced with innovations like hidden door handles and aerodynamic vents—the criticism persisted.

Fifteen minutes before Xiaomi’s event began on May 22, Ferrari China’s official Weibo account posted images of a custom green paint option for the Purosangue, captioned: “Spanning 60 years, a unique color reimagines a classic.” Notably, the post did not mention that the day marked the 80th birthday of Piero Ferrari, son of the brand’s founder, Enzo Ferrari. Coincidentally, one of the YU7’s flagship colors, “Emerald Green,” closely resembled Ferrari’s showcased “Verde Dora” shade.

Meanwhile, automotive influencer Chen Zhen shared Ferrari’s post during the launch, commenting, “A custom color for Piero Ferrari, son of Enzo Ferrari.” This was later reposted by Yang Xueliang, Senior Vice President of Geely Holding, who added, “This looks great,” fueling speculation that Chen’s post insinuated plagiarism by Xiaomi. Some netizens accused Chen of “clout-chasing.”

Xiaomi’s supporters argued that sporty SUV designs share common traits, emphasizing that long hoods and fastback styling are not exclusive to Ferrari. For instance, some users pointed out similarities between the Ferrari Purosangue and models like the Toyota Crown Sport, questioning why foreign brands face no scrutiny for “inspiration” while Chinese automakers are held to a “double standard.” They also highlighted the YU7’s unique details, such as its full-width taillights and teardrop-shaped headlights, as evidence of innovation.

Critics, however, stressed that the YU7’s overall proportions and color choices aligned too closely with Ferrari’s—particularly the “green coincidence” on launch day, which they deemed a deliberate marketing provocation. Skeptics asked: “If there’s only one ‘optimal design solution,’ why haven’t other brands stumbled into such ‘coincidences’?”

This is not the first time Xiaomi’s automotive team has faced design copying accusations. When the Xiaomi SU7 was first unveiled, numerous netizens pointed out striking similarities between its exterior design and the Porsche Taycan.

In response, Xiaomi’s design team reiterated that their work drew inspiration from industry classics but incorporated localized innovations, underscoring their commitment to intellectual property protection. Despite polarized opinions, the controversy has not visibly impacted sales of the SU7, which previously achieved annual sales of 135,000 units due to its high cost-performance ratio.

The debate has also sparked broader reflection among consumers and companies about balancing design boundaries and brand competition.