(Yicai) Sept. 6 -- Xiaomi kicked off trial car production less than a month ago, news outlet Jiemian reported today, citing a source close to the Chinese tech giant’s auto business.

During the trial production phase, Beijing-based Xiaomi will turn out about 50 vehicles each week, the report said.

Xiaomi is hiring staff for its auto workshops in China’s capital city, planning to take on about 100 people, and has very strict experience requirements, according to a recruitment firm working for Xiaomi Auto, the report said.

This hiring round is part of Xiaomi's early-stage preparation for mass production, the report said, adding that there will be a further recruitment drive late next year or early in 2024.

Xiaomi finished filing its application for the domain name xiaomiev.com on Aug. 2, according to information from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Xiaomi spent CNY1.4 billion (USD191.6 million) on smart electric vehicles and other innovative businesses in the second quarter, its financial results showed. Xiaomi also recently finished its summer vehicle test program, which went smoothly, President Lu Weibing said on its earnings conference call. The firm still plans to begin mass production in the first half of 2024, he said.

Editor: Tom Litting