Meet The Iconic Trailblazer Driving BYD’s Global Journey To Riyadh

When Stella Li steps into Riyadh, it isn’t just another executive visit,  it’s the arrival of one of the most powerful women shaping the future of mobility.

As Executive Vice President of BYD Company Limited, CEO of BYD Americas and Europe, and a force recognized globally from Forbes to Time, Li has built her career on breaking barriers and redefining industries.

Her story with BYD began in 1996, and within just five years she had already launched BYD offices in Hong Kong, Rotterdam, and Los Angeles

All this, while forging partnerships with tech giants like Motorola and Nokia. It’s giving industry ICON.

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Fast forward to today, and Li is credited with steering BYD into becoming the world’s largest EV manufacturer, with operations spanning 75 countries across six continents.

But her impact doesn’t stop there. Under her leadership:

• In the United States, BYD became the largest electric commercial vehicle and energy storage supplier.

• In Latin America, BYD revolutionized public transport fleets in Chile and Colombia, and became the EV leader in Brazil.

• Since 2024, she has been spearheading BYD’s rapid growth across Europe, with operations in more than 24 countries.

That’s why her arrival in Riyadh feels especially exciting…because Saudi Arabia is at the heart of the next big chapter.

Working in partnership with Al-Futtaim, Stella Li is amplifying BYD’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom!

Here, BYD is not only bringing its global No.1 New Energy Vehicle (NEV) expertise, but also tailoring its expansion to Saudi needs with flagship showrooms in Riyadh and Jeddah, sub-dealers in Dammam, immersive Discovery Centres, and strategic collaborations with Aramco and the Saudi Green Initiative.

For Saudi drivers, BYD’s focus on plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) is a game-changer.

Designed for GCC conditions, they blend electric efficiency for city life with petrol range confidence for longer trips, a practical, forward-looking bridge to the fully electric future

A leader who inspires change on all fronts

Beyond the cars and technology, Stella Li is also a powerful advocate for sustainability and women’s leadership. Named among Forbes China’s Most Powerful Women, Women in Tech, and Time’s 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders, she continues to prove that innovation and inclusion go hand in hand. And in January 2025, she added another milestone to her journey: being crowned Person of the Year 2025 by the World Car Awards, chosen by a jury of 96 international journalists.

Why it matters for Saudi Arabia…

With Saudi Arabia racing ahead toward Vision 2030, Stella Li’s engagement brings more than just BYD’s electric cars. It signals global confidence in the Kingdom’s transformation, investment in sustainable mobility, and a fresh wave of inspiration for local talent, especially women in technology and leadership.

So when Stella Li speaks in Riyadh, it’s more than corporate strategy. It’s a promise of partnership, progress, and a future where Saudi Arabia isn’t just adopting innovation, it’s helping to define it.