Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, has been awarded the 2025 World Car Person of the Year, making history as the first woman and the first representative of a Chinese automaker to receive this prestigious accolade.
Li played a pivotal role in BYD’s rapid global expansion over the past year, spearheading the launch of key models, facilitating the company’s entry into new markets, and overseeing the production of BYD’s 10-millionth new energy vehicle.
A panel of 96 automotive journalists from 30 countries selected Li from a competitive shortlist, which included Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles and Toyota’s Chief Branding Officer and Design Chief Simon Humphries. Candidates were evaluated based on their contributions to the global automotive industry over the past year.
In her acceptance speech, Li attributed BYD’s success to the 110,000 R&D engineers driving the company’s advancements in electric and hybrid vehicle technology, emphasising their role in promoting sustainable mobility worldwide.
Her recognition marks a significant milestone, as BYD becomes the first Chinese automaker to claim the award. Among the company’s many achievements under her leadership, the Sealion 7’s high-performance 23,000-rpm electric motor was specifically highlighted as a groundbreaking innovation.
Li, who has served as President of BYD Americas since February 2010, is no stranger to industry recognition. She has previously received accolades from organisations such as the US-China Policy Foundation and Forbes China.
The official awards ceremony will take place in April at the New York International Auto Show, where Li will formally receive the honour. The World Car Person of the Year is one of seven awards presented annually as part of the World Car Awards program, which evaluates vehicles and industry figures on a global scale.
With this latest achievement, Stella Li further cements her legacy as a driving force behind BYD’s rise as a global automotive powerhouse.