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Dreame Technology shuts automotive division after failed hypercar push
Dreame Technology, the Chinese appliance manufacturer known for robotic vacuums, is winding down its ambitious automotive division, known as the ‘Starry Sky Project’. The move comes just one year after the company announced its entry into the electric vehicle market with plans to produce high-performance hypercars.
At its peak, the automotive division employed nearly 1,000 people. Following a wave of layoffs that began in May 2026, only a few dozen employees remain, primarily in legal, financial, and HR roles to manage the liquidation of companies and settle outstanding debts with suppliers.
The project gained significant attention for its spectacular claims, including the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition, a ‘rocket car’ promised to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 0.9 seconds. However, former employees have alleged that the showcased vehicles were not functional prototypes. Reports suggest that the cars presented at events like CES were essentially remote-controlled shells or models purchased from a Shanghai-based company rather than true engineering achievements.
Internal accounts indicate the division’s focus was heavily weighted toward marketing and fundraising rather than research and development. Dreame has stated it will now refocus on its core business areas: smart home products, outdoor and garden equipment, smart mobility (such as electric two-wheelers), and robotics.
Entities
China Economic Net · Dreame Technology · Ma Long · Nebula Next 01 · Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition · Starry Sky · Starry Sky Project · Yu Hao
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dreame Technology is reportedly shutting down its automotive division. testcoches.es · 7news.com.au
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dreame's Chief Marketing Officer previously identified Australia and New Zealand as strategic priorities for automotive expansion. 7news.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] The company previously announced the Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition, a 'rocket car' with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 0.9 seconds. testcoches.es · 7news.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] The automotive division's workforce dropped from approximately 1,000 employees to only a few dozen. testcoches.es · 7news.com.au
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dreame will focus on smart home products, outdoor products, smart mobility, and robots. 7news.com.au