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New face highlights changing nature of world car industry

This year's World Car Person of the Year is an example of the changing face of automotive across the world.

This year’s World Car Person of the Year is an example of the changing face of automotive across the world.

The World Car finals powered by Brembo has announced that BYD’s Executive Vice-President Stella Li, has been named 2025 World Car Person of the Year.

This achievement marks the first time a woman has been named World Car Person of the Year and also the first World Car Award win for a Chinese brand.

Stella Li

Li has been a key figure in BYD’s international growth during the past twelve months, with a host of global model debuts, the brand’s entry into new markets, and the company passing the milestone of producing its 10-millionth new energy vehicle.

Commenting on being named 2025 World Car Person of the Year, Stella Li highlighted the honour to receive the award.

“This award is the result of the 110,000 R&D engineers at BYD who continue to provide us with the latest technological advances that are reflected in our electric vehicles and Super Hybrid DM-i technology,” Li says.

“I am glad to play my part in putting these sustainable technologies in the hands of as many consumers as possible around the world.”

World Car Awards Chair Emeritus Jens Meiners, outlined how Li 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,” Meiners says.

“We’re delighted to announce Stella as the 2025 World Car Person of the Year.”

World Car Person of the year process

Three World Car Person of the Year contenders were announced on January 10, with Li featuring alongside Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer of Stellantis and Simon Humphries, Head of Design and Chief Branding Officer of Toyota.

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

Previous World Car Person of the Year recipients

  • Adrian Newey OBE, then CTO of Red Bull Racing and soon to join Aston Martin’s Formula One team (2024)
  • SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President, Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Center, Hyundai Motor Company (2023)
  • Luc Donckerwolke, Executive Vice President for Design and Chief Creative Officer, Hyundai Motor Group (2022)
  • Akio Toyoda, President and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation (2021)
  • Carlos Tavares, CEO of PSA Group (2020)

Brembo’s Chief Executive Officer, Daniele Schillaci congratulated Li on her win.

We warmly congratulate Stella Li on receiving the Person of the Year award, a prestigious accolade that celebrates her innovative spirit and recognised expertise in the automotive industry,” Schillaci says.

“We are honoured to be part of this significant occasion, which highlights her outstanding contribution to the sector.”

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