Xiaomi is recruiting automotive personnel in Sydney, Australia, as it prepares for a planned right-hand-drive (RHD) expansion in the first half of 2028. The Chinese technology company has scheduled its first overseas vehicle launch in Europe for the second half of 2027.
The two vacancies cover legal affairs for Xiaomi’s Australian automotive business and instalment finance across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, adding an Australian operational dimension to the wider rollout.
Sydney hiring targets legal and finance operations
Posted under Xiaomi Technology, the positions are Senior Legal Counsel (Automotive), Australia, and Product Manager, International Instalment Finance.
The legal counsel will handle matters relating to Xiaomi’s Australian automotive business, including vehicle sales, after-sales operations, contracts, and regulatory engagement. The listing also identifies potential progression into team leadership.
The finance role covers APAC, including instalment-finance product development and work with banks and leasing institutions. Responsibilities also include pricing, residual-value management, and business-performance analysis.
Australian automotive outlets Drive and CarExpert have reported expectations of a local showroom arrival in 2028. Xiaomi has yet to disclose its Australian model range, pricing, or retail arrangements.
Europe provides the first distribution precedent
At its April 2026 Investor Day, Xiaomi president Lu Weibing outlined the company’s expansion timetable: Europe in the second half of 2027, followed by RHD markets in the first half of 2028.
At IFA Berlin in September, Xiaomi signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with eight German dealer groups to develop local sales and after-sales operations. The partners include Emil Frey Germany, Ernst Dello, Autohaus Dinnebier, Hahn Automobile, and LUEG Mobility, among others. The agreements indicate its intended European distribution approach but remain MoUs rather than completed dealership contracts.
Xiaomi has also discussed potential retail operations in Japan. The SU7 Ultra made its Tokyo debut, where Xiaomi Japan leadership discussed selling vehicles through commercial retail locations once RHD models become available.
RHD development could serve several markets
Australia, the UK, Japan, and New Zealand are among the established RHD markets potentially relevant to Xiaomi’s expansion. All four participate in the UN 1958 Agreement, which provides a framework for harmonised vehicle technical regulations and reciprocal recognition of approvals under regulations adopted by each country. Requirements still vary, and participation does not remove the need for market-specific compliance.
Market penetration by Chinese automakers could also influence Xiaomi’s commercial priorities. Estimates for 2025 put Chinese-brand market share at 32.4% in Thailand, 16.7% in Australia, and 15% in South Africa. In the UK, Chinese-owned brands accounted for 13.1% of new-car registrations over the 12 months from the third quarter of 2025 to the second quarter of 2026. These figures come from different datasets and periods, so they are not directly comparable. They nevertheless illustrate the established presence of Chinese brands in several RHD markets Xiaomi could consider.
RHD engineering extends beyond steering-wheel relocation
RHD development involves more than relocating the steering wheel. Depending on vehicle architecture, manufacturers may need to adapt steering and pedal assemblies, dashboard packaging, wiring, and HVAC components. Airbag positioning, occupant protection, and driver-assistance systems also require local validation. A common RHD configuration could spread engineering costs across several markets, although Xiaomi has not detailed its engineering programme.
Two models in Xiaomi’s current Chinese lineup could form the basis of a future overseas offering. The SU7 sedan established Xiaomi’s entry into the electric-car market, while the production YU7 SUV gives it a crossover offering for SUV-oriented markets such as Australia and the UK. Neither model has been confirmed for the RHD rollout.
The YU7 attracted strong initial demand in China, with more than 240,000 locked-in orders reported within its first 18 hours on sale. Monthly sales reached 39,089 units in December 2025 before standing at 11,820 in September 2026, 69.8% below the December peak. September sales were also 47.2% lower year on year. Figures fluctuated during the period, including rebounds in June and August, rather than declining continuously, according to China EV DataTracker.
Manufacturing capacity is another factor in Xiaomi’s longer-term expansion. The second construction phase at Xiaomi’s Beijing facility was designed to bring the complex’s combined annual nameplate capacity to 300,000 vehicles. This is a capacity figure, not confirmed annual production or export availability. The expansion came amid long customer waiting times for Xiaomi vehicles in China, but the company has not linked the additional capacity to specific export allocations or its 2028 RHD rollout.
Beyond vehicle conversions, Xiaomi will need market-specific approvals, distribution, servicing, parts supply, and warranty support, alongside suitable retail and financing arrangements. Sydney’s recruitment offers an early indication of the operational work behind its international expansion.
