Beijing (ZXZC)- Xiaomi’s automaking endeavor is going smoothly with its team expanded to over 500 members, according to the smartphone giant’s third-quarter financial report.

Photo credit: Xiaomi

The group also reemphasized its schedule of starting mass production of its first electric vehicle in the first half of 2024.

Ever since the group’s car-making business was made official in March, it has been aggressively recruiting talents in the industry. Talents from the data platform, vehicle architecture, millimeter-wave algorithms to various autonomous driving related fields are all wanted by Xiaomi to fast track its car-making plan.

Currently, 17 members of Xiaomi’s automaking dream team were already exposed. Aside from one auto industry veteran, former BMW exterior designer Li Tianyuan, the rest 16 are all original employees of Xiaomi. Notably, Li Tianyuan was the lead designer of BMW’s flagship EV model, the iX.

In addition to the previously reported former Geely executive Hu Zhengnan joining the Xiaomi-backed Shunwei Capital firm as a venture partner, Xiaomi also poached the president of ARCFOX, Yu Liguo.

ARCFOX is a high-end EV sub-brand of BAIC Group. Yu Liguo left the brand to join Xiaomi’s auto general management department, directly report to Lei Jun.

Moreover, several former technical and managerial members from Baidu and major automakers also found their place in the Xiaomi Auto team.