Chinese technology giant Xiaomi has recruited at least five senior executives from leading automakers, including Germany’s BMW Group, as it advances plans to establish an electric vehicle (EV) research and development centre in Europe, according to LinkedIn posts.
Xiaomi, the world’s third-largest smartphone maker, entered the EV market last year with the launch of its SU7 sedan, marking a shift from its core business of smartphones and smart home appliances. Since December, the company has outpaced Tesla’s Model 3 in sales in China, positioning itself as a key disruptor in the domestic automotive sector. Xiaomi President Lu Weibing said this week the company aims to begin selling its vehicles overseas by 2027.
See also: Xiaomi Expands EV Factory as It Raises 2025 Delivery Target
Among its recent hires is Rudolf Dittrich, a 15-year veteran of BMW, who was appointed last year to lead Xiaomi’s European research centre, according to his LinkedIn profile. Additional recruits include Dusan Sarac, a former BMW manager, who stated on LinkedIn that he joined Xiaomi’s European R&D centre this month, and Jannis Hellwig, also from BMW, who will serve as a senior engineer specializing in performance development and integration.
BMW, responding to inquiries about the hirings, told Reuters it does not comment on individual personnel matters but reaffirmed its commitment to retaining top-tier talent. “We remain steadfast in our ability to attract and retain top-tier talent,” the company stated.
See also: Xiaomi Targets 2027 for Overseas Expansion of Its Electric Vehicles, Says President
Xiaomi is actively recruiting for additional positions at its European R&D hub in Munich, Germany, including senior automotive designers, senior exterior designers, and vehicle dynamics engineers, according to job listings on LinkedIn.
The company confirmed on Friday that the research centre is “in the process of planning” but did not provide details on its location, opening timeline, or investment scale. Lu did not specify which markets Xiaomi intends to enter when it expands its EV sales beyond China.
See also: Xiaomi CEO ‘90% Confident’ Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Will Reach 10,000 Sales Goal
