Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi, issued multiple posts on Weibo addressing what he described as deliberate misinterpretation of his comments regarding the company's automotive safety priorities.

The controversy stems from an interview in April 2024, where Lei stated that "good looks come first" when discussing product definition for Xiaomi vehicles. Critics on social media have interpreted this remark as evidence that the company prioritizes aesthetics over safety, a characterization Lei firmly rejected.

In his Weibo posts, Lei clarified that his emphasis on design does not contradict Xiaomi's safety principles. He pointed to multiple occasions where he explicitly stated that "safety is the foundation, safety is the priority, safety is above everything else." The company's safety framework encompasses passive safety, active safety, battery safety, and privacy protection.

"When I discussed product definition and said 'good looks come first,' does this contradict the fact that safety is the foundation? In that same interview, I mentioned that wheel hubs are the most difficult to design. What's the problem with that?" Lei wrote.

To support his position, Lei referenced posts from late 2023 and early 2024 demonstrating his consistent messaging on safety. He accused online commentators of distorting his remarks through selective quoting.

This is not the first time Lei has addressed negative online commentary. In a speech on September 25, 2025, he stated that Xiaomi's automotive division had become "one of the most attacked brands online" since its vehicle launch. At that time, he called for broader action against what he termed organized smear campaigns and paid negative content.

Xiaomi entered the electric vehicle market in 2024, competing in China's crowded EV sector alongside established automakers and technology companies.