"Senior Mobility" Maker Sues Xiaomi Auto Over SU7 Headlight and Bumper Patents

Xiaomi Auto faces its first patent dispute since launching its vehicles. According to Shenzhen Business Daily, Shandong Yanlu New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd.—a small manufacturer with only 20 employees that primarily produces low-speed electric three-wheelers colloquially known as "old man's joy"—has filed a request with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) seeking to invalidate three of Xiaomi Auto’s design patents. The contested designs cover the front headlights, front bumper, and rear bumper—key styling elements of Xiaomi’s SU7 model and related vehicles. An oral hearing regarding the invalidation request was held on the morning of March 26. Public records show that Yanlu New Energy is registered in Liaocheng, Shandong Province, with a registered capital of RMB 10 million, wholly owned by individual investor Lou Biao. Its core product is the "Yunlei"-branded electric three-wheeled motorcycle.