BYD exec named ‘2025 World Car Person of the Year’

MANILA: BYD’s Executive Vice President (EVP) Stella Li has been recognized as the 2025 Word Car Person of the Year. 

The said achievement — the World Car Awards pointed out — is monumental as it is the first time that the honor was given to a Chinese automaker and also, to a woman. 

Li played a significant role in the international growth of the electric car company in the past 12 months. Under her leadership, BYD has carried out a host of global model debuts; have penetrated new markets; and surpassed the impressive milestone of producing its 10-millionth new-energy unit. 

“I am incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award. This award is the result of the 110,000 research and development engineers at BYD who continue to provide us with the latest technological advances that are reflected in our electric vehicles (EV) and Super Hybrid DM-i technology. I am glad to play my part in putting these sustainable technologies in the hands of as many consumers as possible around the world,” Li said. 

To land the said recognition, Li went head-to-head with Stellantis  Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles and Toyota Design and Chief Branding Head Simon Humphries. 

A jury of 96 distinguished international automotive journalists from 30 countries voted on the contenders based on who had made the most significant contribution to the global automotive sector during the previous calendar year.

“Stella Li has impressed the World Car judging panel with her exceptional work as a key figure in BYD’s continued global growth. Her international vision and drive have seen BYD become a major player on the automotive stage in a short space of time, and her influence is not only felt within BYD, but across the automotive industry as a whole. We’re delighted to announce Stella as the 2025 World Car Person of the Year,” World Car Awards Chair Emeritus Jens Meiners noted. 

BYD’s EVP now joins the ranks of the following personalities in the highly-regarded roster: 

Adrian Newey	Officer of the Order of the British Empire, then Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing and soon to join Aston Martin’s Formula One team (2024)
SangYup Lee	EVP, Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center, Hyundai Motor Company (2023)
Luc Donckerwolke	EVP for Design and Chief Creative Officer, Hyundai Motor Group (2022)
Akio Toyoda	President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Toyota Motor Corporation (2021)
Carlos Tavares	CEO of PSA Group (2020)
Sergio Marchionne	CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles; Chairman of CNH Industrial; and Chairman and CEO of Ferrari (2019)
Håkan Samuelsson	President and CEO of Volvo Car Group (2018)

“We warmly congratulate Stella Li on receiving the Person of the Year award, a prestigious accolade that celebrates her innovative spirit and recognized expertise in the automotive industry. We are honored to be part of this significant occasion, which highlights her outstanding contribution to the sector,” Brembo CEO Daniele Schillaci stated. 

BYD in PH

In the Philippines, BYD (under the stewardship of Ayala-led ACMobility) is making strides in the local EV sector, thanks to a salvo of automobile launches and a strong network of charging infrastructures. 

Below are some of the models that the brand currently offers:

• Seal
• Sealion 6 DM-i
• Seal 5 DM-i
• Seagull
• Dolphin 
• Atto 3
• Han
• Tang

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