World Automotive Particular person of the 12 months — Stella Li

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When you observe the electrical car business, you need to know who Stella Li is. She’s the second most well-known individual at BYD, and he or she has been the chief of the corporate exterior of China for a number of years. She’s the corporate’s Government Vice President, and he or she simply gained an award that I’m certain she totally deserves — 2025 World Automotive of the 12 months.

“The Awards committee curates a shortlist of worthy candidates after which the World Automotive of the 12 months jurors – 96 distinguished automotive journalists from 30 nations – forged their votes for the winner,” BYD writes. In different phrases, it’s a severe award, and it exhibits how a lot BYD has risen within the eyes of automotive journalists world wide. The BYD period is arriving.

BYD’s development prior to now yr has been huge. Right here’s how the corporate explains Stella Li’s win:

“Stella Li has secured the 2025 World Automotive Particular person of the 12 months award after a vastly profitable 12 months for BYD. In addition to excellent gross sales success in China, the corporate’s new-energy autos gained vital market share in new markets similar to Brazil and Mexico, and expanded throughout key areas like Europe, serving to it to attain a number of manufacturing milestones. In November 2024 BYD produced its 10 millionth new power car, a novel achievement within the business, and the corporate now employs 1,000,000 folks worldwide, together with over 110,000 workers in its analysis and improvement division.

“This funding in R&D has allowed BYD to introduce world breakthroughs such because the world’s quickest electrical motor in mass manufacturing (23,000rpm), as featured within the not too long ago launched SEALION 7, and cutting-edge DM-i (Twin Mode Clever) plug-in hybrid autos that deliver better effectivity to clients who aren’t fairly prepared to modify to pure electrical fashions.

“Past its passenger-car enterprise, BYD continues to implement a novel technique that covers not solely power use by means of transportation, but additionally clear power seize and power storage. Its progress, applied sciences and merchandise are actually shaping the worldwide automobile business in a means that will have appeared inconceivable simply 30 years in the past, when BYD was based as a producer of batteries in Shenzhen, China.”

Truthfully, the toughest factor about protecting BYD is remembering and never neglecting all the wonderful issues it’s doing and reaching.

One other good factor about Stella Li is you by no means see her letting her ego prepared the ground or sticking her foot in her mouth. Whereas that may be fairly a typical factor amongst auto firm executives, Li is kind of unassuming, accountable, and proper on level. “I really feel extremely honoured to obtain this prestigious recognition,” Stella Li mentioned. “This award is the results of the extremely appreciated 110,000 BYD R&D engineers who proceed to make EVs and Tremendous Hybrid DM-i know-how out there for all of us. I’m glad to play my half in placing these sustainable applied sciences within the arms of as many customers as attainable world wide.” Have a look at that — instantly turning the eye to BYD’s quite a few engineers.

Jens Meiners, Chair Emeritus of the World Automotive Awards, added: “Stella Li has impressed the World Automotive judging panel along with her distinctive work as a key determine in BYD’s continued world development. Her imaginative and prescient and drive has seen BYD develop into a significant participant on the automotive stage in a brief house of time, and her affect isn’t solely felt inside BYD, however throughout the automotive business as a complete. We’re delighted to announce Stella because the World Automotive Particular person of the 12 months 2025.” Certainly. It was an excellent choice. Congratulations, Ms. Li. Nicely deserved after years of large management and achievement.