In the tech world, Apple and Xiaomi have always been two giants in the spotlight, but now they are taking very different paths in vehicle manufacturing.
It took Xiaomi only three years to successfully launch its first car, the SU7, while Apple's car project was stuck in a decade of quagmire, repeatedly postponed and readjusted, which is quite puzzling.
What kind of contrast is this, why Xiaomi can easily "build a car", but Apple is so difficult to deliver? Let's unravel the speed and long-term fog of the automotive world and find out.
Apple has always been known for pursuing the ultimate product standards, whether it's the iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, all focus on superb design and excellent user experience.
This quest for perfection is also reflected in automotive projects. It is reported that Apple's expectations for its cars are very high, hoping that it can become a technological pioneer in the automotive industry and redefine the entire industry.
This attitude may have led to several revisions and postponements of the project. Apple's strict standards for product quality make every detail need to be meticulously crafted and cannot be missed.
Car manufacturing involves so many fields, from engineering to design, from software to hardware, and Apple seems to be trying to meet its own high standards in everything. And this pursuit may be one of the reasons for the slow progress of the project.
In contrast, Xiaomi seems to have taken a more pragmatic and swift approach. In just three years, Lei Jun and his team launched their first car, the SU7, from scratch.
Xiaomi is deeply involved in the underlying technology, not only in R&D and design, but also in its own manufacturing plants. This all-round participation allows Xiaomi to adjust and improve its products more flexibly without being constrained by the progress of external partners.
Apple is engaged in R&D in the United States, and it may go more smoothly if it sets up a car company in China. This relates to the impact of national competitiveness and culture on firm innovation.
China is a dynamic market with fierce competition in all walks of life and a large number of peers who have learned from Xi. This competitive environment is likely to lead to faster results and innovations.
Xiaomi's success may also be due to the fact that China is a hotbed of innovation. Enterprises can find their own direction more easily and have more opportunities to learn Xi and benchmark.
In contrast, Apple may have a harder time finding a fit with the automotive industry in its independent R&D model in the U.S., and it will be difficult to quickly integrate into this vibrant ecosystem.
Apple's products have always been a representative of mature industries, but this has also made Apple relatively rare to make breakthroughs in leapfrog innovation.
Apple's products are relatively independent in terms of system and hardware, and have less competition with other peers.
This may be because Apple has already formed a relatively closed pattern in its own ecosystem, and it is difficult to quickly adapt to new market demands.
Apple has been cruising its own "altar" for a long time, and it may be a bit overwhelming to let them enter a whole new track. Learning Xi and reverence for peers, compared to peers, may be a relatively unfamiliar environment for Apple.
Xiaomi, on the other hand, has more directly integrated into the bottom layer of automobile manufacturing by going deep into the underlying technology and investing in manufacturing plants, so that they can respond to market changes more flexibly.
Apple's culture of self-discipline and pursuit of high standards makes it difficult for them to invest in in-depth R&D at the bottom and compromise with their partners.
Apple's high profit margins also make it difficult for them to make deep and long-term investments. This is different from Xiaomi, which seems to be more adventurous and more willing to push the project forward through deep investment.
In this race to build cars, Apple and Xiaomi represent two different attitudes and strategies.
Apple has been waiting for "perfection" and wants to redefine the automotive industry with high standards and self-discipline.
Xiaomi, on the other hand, pays more attention to pragmatism and speed, and has successfully brought the first car to the market by going deep into the underlying technology and advancing the project quickly.
Perhaps, for Apple, learning how Xi bow down in new areas and how to be more pragmatic may be the next development direction.
Xiaomi, on the other hand, is likely to continue to play to its strengths in rapid innovation and integration into the market, becoming a dark horse in the automotive industry.
The speed and long-term fog of the automotive industry may be gradually unraveled in the competition between these two giants.