Xiaomi founder Lei Jun's slip about a "120 km/h crash" at SU7 launch draws corrections

What happened

Lei Jun (雷军), founder of Xiaomi (小米), reportedly made a verbal slip during the new-generation SU7 launch when explaining a collision scenario. It has been reported that he said two cars colliding at 60 km/h each — a relative speed of 120 km/h — was "equivalent to one car hitting a wall at 120 km/h." Netizens and commentators quickly pointed out the statement was misleading; Lei later acknowledged the error at the event and thanked online users for the correction, according to Ifeng (凤凰网).

Why the wording mattered

On the surface the arithmetic — 60 + 60 = 120 — is straightforward. But physics and safety engineering are about energy, frames of reference and how forces are distributed, not just relative speed. Experts and informed observers argued that the comparison oversimplified crash dynamics and could mislead consumers about vehicle safety. It has been reported that attendees and online commenters seized on that nuance, prompting the clarification.

Context and takeaway

Ifeng noted the video and related material were uploaded by a user on its Dafeng Hao platform and included a platform disclaimer that it provides storage only. In China’s crowded EV and smart-car market, marketing statements about safety attract intense scrutiny from both regulators and the public. Is it just a one-line gaffe, or a reminder that technical claims need precise language? Either way, the episode underscores how quickly a short slip can become a wider debate in China’s tech and auto conversation.