From Sketch to Shield: Lessons from Xiaomi SU7’s Design Patent Strategy

GOMAXGROUP
Sep 8
2 min read

Updated: Sep 10

When the first Xiaomi SU7 rolled off the line, much of the media focused on acceleration times and aerodynamic stats. But months earlier, the more decisive milestone had already happened—inside the patent office. In January 2023, Xiaomi applied for and later obtained design protection under Chinese design patent CN307993333S. Industry trackers such as GreyB and Formacar highlighted the filing as unusually comprehensive for a first-time automaker.

Here are four strategic takeaways that any start-up, supplier, or design studio can adapt to their own IP roadmap:

Xiaomi SU7’s Design Patent Strategy

1. Securing long-term exclusivity on the design

The protection is valid until January 2038, effectively covering an entire product cycle. This gives Xiaomi leverage to maintain the uniqueness of its SU7 design elements, from the teardrop cabin to the integrated light blade.

2. Integrating aerodynamics into design filings

The SU7 application doesn’t only cover aesthetic details—it also includes functional surfaces that contribute to its aerodynamics. This shows how design protection can sometimes overlap with engineering choices, making it more challenging for competitors to replicate key shapes.

3. Treating interior & user experience as a single visual unit

Instead of separating the central screen, dashboard, and steering controls into different filings, Xiaomi’s strategy bundled them into one coherent interface. This reduces costs and simplifies protection—an approach lean teams can learn from.

4. Timing the public reveal with patent publication

The SU7 was unveiled only after the patent was made public, ensuring novelty was preserved and limiting the chance for others to file around its core features.

From concept to grant in under 12 months

The SU7 filing included 42 drawings and detailed novelty statements, and it moved through examination in less than a year. Such speed is notable and reflects careful preparation by legal professionals supporting the process.

How Gomax helps start-ups replicate this success

At Gomax, we’ve translated lessons from cases like the SU7 into a practical three-step service package:

Design Freeze Audit – A 48-hour prior-art search with AI shape-matching to check novelty before prototypes are built.
3D-to-Claim Mapping – CAD files converted into drawings compliant with CN, EU, and US filing standards, cutting illustrator costs significantly.
Fast-Track Filing – With in-house CNIPA and USPTO representatives, clean designs can be filed in as little as 15 days and often granted within 12 months.

Whether you’re developing a micro-mobility concept or a next-generation SUV, remember: investors increasingly ask not just about horsepower, but about intellectual property. Gomax helps you transform a design into a protective IP asset that supports your long-term market strategy.