Xiaomi Hires Designer Behind BMW’s EV Lineup
00:00/00:00
Listen to this article
1x
Subscribe now
Listen to the full version
Listen to the full version
Kai Langer. Photo: AI generated
Xiaomi Corp. has tapped the former head designer of BMW’s line of electric vehicles (EV) as the Chinese tech giant accelerates its EV expansion globally.
Kai Langer recently announced on social media that he joined Xiaomi on Friday “after more than two decades within the BMW Group.”
Xiaomi, already established in the tech and consumer electronics market, is ramping up its auto business, “giving me the chance to be a strong part of it,” he wrote.
You've accessed an article available only to subscribers
VIEW OPTIONS
Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.
Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.
- RELATED
Share this article
Open WeChat and scan the QR code
- DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub
Back
Explore the story in 30 seconds
- Xiaomi hired Kai Langer, former BMW EV design chief, to boost its global electric vehicle business and R&D presence in Munich.
- Xiaomi launched its first EV in March 2024, added the SU7 Ultra in February 2025, and the YU7 SUV in June, delivering over 30,000 vehicles in July.
- The company plans to start overseas EV sales, focusing on Europe, by 2027, and has recruited multiple ex-BMW executives since 2021.
AI generated, for reference only
Who’s Who
- Xiaomi
- Xiaomi, a Chinese tech giant, is aggressively expanding its global electric vehicle (EV) business. They recently hired Kai Langer, former head of design for BMW's EV line, to bolster their automotive R&D efforts in Munich. Xiaomi launched its first EV, the SU7, in March 2024, followed by the SU7 Ultra and YU7 SUV, and plans to sell EVs overseas by 2027, targeting Europe.
- BMW
- BMW is a German luxury automaker that has been active in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Kai Langer, who joined BMW in 2003, played a central role in designing their first all-electric vehicle, the i3, launched in 2013, and later became head of design for BMW's all-electric i Series in 2019. Several former BMW executives and designers, including Langer, have recently moved to Xiaomi.
AI generated, for reference only
What Happened When
- 2003：
- Kai Langer joined BMW.
- 2013：
- BMW launched its first all-electric vehicle, the i3, which Langer helped design.
- 2019：
- Langer became head of design for BMW’s all-electric i Series.
- 2021：
- Li Tianyuan, another BMW veteran, was brought on as head of design at Xiaomi.
- Mid-2022：
- BMW’s i3 was discontinued.
- March 2024：
- Xiaomi launched its first EV model, the SU7.
- Last year (2024)：
- Chris Bangle, ex-BMW design chief, joined Xiaomi as a strategic design consultant.
- February 2025：
- Xiaomi made its first push into the luxury EV market with the launch of the SU7 Ultra sports sedan.
- March 2025：
- Reuters reported at least three other senior BMW executives joined Xiaomi since last year.
- March 2025：
- Xiaomi president William Lu stated at Mobile World Congress that Xiaomi plans to start selling EVs overseas by 2027.
- April 2025：
- Chinese media reported that Xiaomi’s Munich automotive research and development center had fewer than 50 employees.
- June 2025：
- Xiaomi expanded its EV lineup with the YU7 SUV and delivered over 25,000 vehicles in this month.
- July 2025：
- Xiaomi delivered more than 30,000 vehicles.
- August 1, 2025：
- Kai Langer announced he joined Xiaomi after more than two decades within the BMW Group.
AI generated, for reference only
- PODCAST
- MOST POPULAR
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook
Sign in with 财新