Sina Technology reported on the afternoon of November 6 that Xiaomi Auto has set up an International Business Department, with Vice President Yu Liguo as general manager. Yu reports to both Lei Jun, Xiaomi Group CEO and head of the automotive business, and Lu Weibing, Group President.
Department structure
The International Automotive Market Department sits inside the new unit and reports to Yu and to Xu Fei, Group Vice President and CMO. Yu also oversees the GTM, Sales, Network Development, Delivery and Logistics, Customer Service and General Management departments, plus the Overseas Regional Departments.
Yu Liguo’s background
Yu holds an engineering doctorate from the Beijing Institute of Technology. Before Xiaomi he worked at BAIC on new energy planning and joint ventures, helped create the Arcfox brand and served as its president. He joined Xiaomi in the second half of 2021 and became Vice President of Xiaomi Auto in January 2022.
The overseas team since May
Xiaomi put Yu in charge of an overseas business preparation team in May 2026, while Song Gang took on domestic production. The new department gives that team a permanent structure, with sales, logistics and service functions of its own.
Europe first
At Xiaomi Investor Day, Lu Weibing said Xiaomi Auto should begin globalization in the second half of 2027, starting with Europe. Right-hand-drive markets would come in the first half of 2028.
The European groundwork is already moving. At IFA 2026 in Berlin, Xiaomi Auto said it will enter Europe, including Germany, in 2027, and signed memorandums of understanding with eight German dealer groups. Yu said the company plans a long-term investment in Europe and will rely on local partners. Xiaomi already runs an R&D centre in Munich and launched a global automotive website and international social media channels in late August.
