Xiaomi sued by LSEV firm over design patents, hearing set for March 26
A patent dispute involving Xiaomi has entered formal review after three of its design patents were challenged by Shandong Yanlu New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd., according to East Money. Xiaomi Auto is facing a patent invalidation challenge involving three exterior design patents, according to Shenzhen Business News, with an oral hearing scheduled for March 26.
The case was filed by Shandong Yanlu New Energy Vehicle Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of LSEVs that produces “Yunlei”- branded electric vehicles. The company has a registered capital of 10 million yuan and approximately 20 employees. The challenged patents cover a rear bumper, a front bumper, and a front headlight, identified as 2023300280286, 2023300278040, and 2023300276401, respectively. The designs are reportedly used on Xiaomi Auto models, including the SU7 and YU7.
Patent timeline
The front headlight design patent was filed on January 19, 2023 and granted on March 18, 2025, following a review period exceeding two years. Shenzhen Business News reports that typical design patent reviews take 6 to 8 months.
Xiaomi Auto requested a design patent evaluation report after the patent was granted, with the National Intellectual Property Administration issuing the report on May 7, 2025. The evaluation confirmed the patent’s validity, including novelty and inventiveness. The review referenced existing design patents from Porsche, Audi, Nissan, Toyota, and Changan.
Legal basis
Under Article 45 of China’s Patent Law, any individual or organisation may request invalidation of a granted patent. The oral hearing process is used to assess whether the patent complies with legal requirements. This is the first publicly reported patent dispute involving Xiaomi Auto since it entered the automotive sector.
Industry context
CarNewsChina previously reported that a vehicle under the “Yunlei” name was produced by Shandong Yanlu New Energy, the same company involved in the current patent case. According to the same report, the Yunlei vehicle is classified as an LSEV, a category of low-speed electric vehicles typically used for short-distance urban travel and known for low cost and simplified regulatory requirements.
CarNewsChina also reported that the updated 2026 Xiaomi SU7 recorded 15,000 orders within 34 minutes after launch. Industry sales data show the SU7 has consistently ranked among China’s top-selling electric sedans since its 2024 launch, and in 2025, it outsold the Tesla Model 3 in total annual BEV sales.
The outcome of the March 26 hearing will determine whether the three design patents remain valid.
