TIME100 AI 2026 · Innovators
Stella Li
Executive Vice President, BYD
She joined BYD in 1996 to sell its batteries abroad, and became the first woman ever named World Car Person of the Year.
- Born
- 1969, Xiantao, Hubei, China
- Now
- Executive Vice President; CEO of BYD Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, BYD
- Studied
- Fudan University
Interesting facts
- Before AI
Started out in international trade at a Chinese state-owned company from 1990 to 1996.
en.wikipedia.org - Early start
Joined BYD in 1996 as its export marketing manager, when founder Wang Chuanfu was still running a small operation.
fortune.com - First
Opened BYD's first overseas office in Hong Kong in 1997 and its first European office in Rotterdam in 1999.
media.byd.com - Before AI
In 2002 she won Motorola and Nokia as customers for BYD's batteries, years before the company was known for cars.
media.byd.com - In their words
Told Business Insider she wants humanoid robots in every BYD showroom, and sees home and service robots as a huge market.
businessinsider.com
Career
- BYDExecutive Vice President; CEO of BYD Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa1996 to now
Education
- Bachelor's, Statistics, Fudan University, 1992
Sources1en.wikipedia.org