Chinese tech giant and electric vehicle manufacturer Xiaomi has appointed Kai Langer, former head of design at BMW i, to a new position within its automotive division. Langer, who spent more than 20 years at BMW, joined Xiaomi on August 1 and will remain based in Munich, where Xiaomi operates a research and development centre.
While Xiaomi has not disclosed Langer’s specific role, the move signals the company’s intention to further develop its design capabilities in the EV sector. Langer announced the career change on LinkedIn, saying he was joining “one of the most progressive and uprising big tech players in the world” and expressed enthusiasm about shaping Xiaomi’s future in the automotive industry.
“From the first of August I will join one of the most progressive and uprising big tech players in the world,” Langer wrote. “XIAOMI, already established in the tech and consumer electronics market, and with a moon rocketing debut in the automotive industry, is ramping up their business and is giving me the chance to be a strong part of it.”
On his LinkedIn profile, Langer currently lists his title only as “Customer / Brand / Product.” Media outlets in China, including Xiaomi-focused news portal Xiaomitime, have yet to obtain further details regarding his position or responsibilities.
Xiaomi launched its first electric sedan, the SU7, earlier this year, followed by the YU7 SUV. Both models have drawn attention for their distinctive and unified design language. It remains unclear whether Langer will evolve this aesthetic or steer the brand in a new design direction.
