Asian Tech Press (Nov 16) -- Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. (1810.HK) has shared photos of its first production electric cars in a regulatory filing.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Tuesday made public a document showing a batch of new vehicles approved for upcoming production, including two Xiaomi brand all-electric sedans.

The two models, SU7 and SU7 Max, feature the lithium iron phosphate battery from FinDreams Battery in Xiangyang, a unit of Chinese automaker BYD Co Ltd (002594.SZ), and the ternary lithium battery from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (300750.SZ, CATL), respectively.

BAIC Group Off-road Vehicle Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd. (BAIC Group), is the manufacturer of the two pure electric sedans, according to the document.

Chinese industry insiders commented on this, saying, "Xiaomi Auto may need to temporarily use BAIC''s production qualification in the early stage, while continuing to apply for an independent qualification later."

Xiaomi also listed photos of the two cars in the MIIT filing, and this is the first time that a Xiaomi brand EV has shown up through official channels.

Citing people familiar with the matter, Chinese media outlet National Business Daily (NBD) reported on Wednesday that Xiaomi cars will go into mass production in December, and are due to go on sale in February next year.

And the Xiaomi car factory in Yizhuang, a town of Daxing District in Beijing, has been launching low volume trial production for some time, with dozens of cars produced so far, the report added.

Xiaomi president Lu Weibing said at the Xiaomi IoT Eco-Partners Conference 2023 on Thursday that Xiaomi's car business is progressing beyond expectations and the company will officially launch its new cars in the first half of next year.