Dreame (追觅)’s car project moves into substantive phase; second flagship SUV to benchmark Li Auto (理想汽车) L9 and AITO (问界) M9 — exclusive

Project advances as Dreame shifts from gadgets to cars

It has been reported that Dreame (追觅), the consumer‑electronics maker best known for robot vacuums, has pushed its automotive initiative — dubbed the "Starry Sky Plan" — into a substantive advancement stage. Can a household appliance champion pivot to premium vehicles? The company has reportedly placed the project inside its strategically important "First Incubator" (第一孵化器) alongside core product lines, and the dedicated team is said to number about 1,000 people, underscoring internal seriousness about the move.

Three‑model roadmap and timelines

According to internal sources, Dreame’s plan now clearly targets three models. The first is a limited‑edition luxury coupe positioned above RMB 1 million and aimed primarily at branding and halo effects; it reportedly made appearances at AWE 2026, the U.S. Super Bowl and China’s Spring Festival Gala, and Dreame plans volume deliveries in 2027. The second is a flagship SUV explicitly benchmarking Li Auto (理想汽车) L9 and AITO (问界) M9 — reportedly with propulsion still under evaluation between pure battery electric and extended‑range solutions. The third is an off‑road model to broaden the lineup.

Manufacturing strategy, channels and near‑term risks

It has been reported that Dreame will pursue a dual "self‑develop + cooperation" route: self‑developed vehicles slated for mass production in Q3 2027, while jointly developed models could hit production and offline stores in H2 2026. Reportedly Dreame may rely on contract manufacturing early on to reduce upfront capital intensity — a common new‑energy strategy — but that brings well‑known tradeoffs in production control and quality consistency. The company’s existing retail muscle is a concrete advantage: Dreame claims about 6,000 global channels across 100+ countries, more than 1,000 large offline outlets and plans for hundreds of 1,000–2,000 sqm stores domestically and overseas in 2026, which could accelerate showroom rollout.

Geopolitical and supply‑chain backdrop

This push comes as Chinese EV makers operate under a shifting geopolitical landscape. In the context of U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors and heightened trade scrutiny, access to high‑end chips and some components remains an industry‑wide constraint — one that could shape Dreame’s propulsion choices and supplier strategy. Dreame has reportedly accelerated domestic and overseas plant construction and plans to disclose more factory details in Q2 2026, as it seeks to translate its appliance distribution strengths into credible automotive volume and brand presence.