In January of this year, the judges of the World Car Awards praised BYD's development and technological advancements in recent years. Last year was a particularly fruitful one for BYD, as the leading Chinese electric vehicle and battery manufacturer broke a record of producing their 10 millionth renewable energy vehicle. BYD has been known for its continuous successes, positioning the company as a leader in the world of electric vehicles and artificial intelligence. Behind these successes is an unsung hero, a powerful woman who is a pioneer in the world of business and renewable energy, Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD.
Stella Li was praised for her exceptional work for the company, thanks to her vision and ability to lead it to success. She was voted the 2025 World Car Person of the Year by 30 countries around the world.
World Car Person of the Year Award: What is it?
This prestigious award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the automotive industry during the year. A jury of 96 journalists from 30 different countries votes for one deserving nominee selected from a list compiled by the awards committee. Previous winners of this award include Akio Toyoda and Formula 1 design legend Adrian Newey.
Stella Li won the 2025 World Car Person of the Year award after a successful year for BYD. In addition to outstanding sales success in China, the company's new energy vehicles gained significant market share in new markets such as Brazil and Mexico, and expanded into key regions such as Europe, helping it achieve numerous production milestones. The company has employed about one million people worldwide, including more than 110,000 employees in the research and development department.
Who is Stella Li?
Stella Li, a 50-year-old graduate of China's prestigious Fudan University, is the mastermind behind BYD's progress in the United States. She specialized in statistics. She worked at Global Sources, a business intelligence firm.
Stella Li joined BYD in the mid-1990s as marketing director and helped the company grow as a mobile phone battery manufacturer. Among her most important clients were Samsung and Nokia, BYD becoming a major global battery supplier. Stella's success led to her promotion to CEO of BYD Electronics in 2007, where she played a pivotal role in the company's initial public offering in Hong Kong. By 2015, she had moved on to lead BYD's US operations, focusing on electric buses, trucks, and monorail systems. Under her leadership, BYD established a factory in Lancaster, California, creating hundreds of jobs and fostering strong business relationships. She prioritized inclusive employment, providing opportunities for veterans, single mothers, and former prisoners.
With her intelligence and resourcefulness, Stella Li was able to establish her company's foothold and expand its electric mobility footprint in North America, landing major clients such as Facebook, Stanford University, and several US cities. Her remarkable ability to navigate difficult challenges, such as trade tensions between China and the US, underscores her strategic acumen. Today, thanks to her many achievements, BYD has become a dominant force in the electric vehicle world, proving that innovation, social responsibility, and adaptability are essential to charting a path to success.
