Xiaomi EV’s Strategic Talent Play: Strengthening Leadership for the 2026 Production “Grand Exam”

On April 17, Xiaomi Group issued an internal memo announcing two pivotal executive appointments: Hu Zhengnan has been named Vice President of Xiaomi Group and the first-ever Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of the EV Department. Simultaneously, Song Gang has joined as Vice President and Chief of Staff of the EV Department.

Industry analysts and observers familiar with XiaoMi’s headhunting firm suggest these moves are designed to bridge the gap between world-class R&D and high-efficiency mass production.

Hu Zhengnan: The Architect Behind the SU7 Becomes CTO

Hu Zhengnan is a legendary figure in the automotive world with nearly 30 years of experience. Before joining Xiaomi, Hu served as the President of the Geely Research Institute, where he spearheaded the development of the widely acclaimed SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) and the Boyue SUV. Since 2021, he has acted as a key advisor to Lei Jun, playing an instrumental role in the development of the Xiaomi SU7 and SU7 Ultra.

“As a premier China EV talent headhunter, we see this appointment as a signal of maturity for Xiaomi,” says an industry consultant. “Appointing a CTO of Hu’s caliber ensures that Xiaomi’s nearly 10,000-strong R&D team remains at the cutting edge of smart vehicle architecture.”

Song Gang: The “Master of Manufacturing” from Tesla

The appointment of Song Gang is seen as a direct response to Xiaomi’s current production challenges. As the former Vice President of Manufacturing at Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory, Song was the architect behind Tesla’s rapid capacity ramp-up in China. Known as the “Ace Factory Manager,” Song brings a proven methodology for supply chain optimization and quality control.

Sources close to Xiaomi’s recruitment agency indicate that recruiting Song Gang was a strategic priority to stabilize the daily delivery rate. Alongside Song, the former General Manager of Tesla China, Kong Yanshuang, has also reportedly joined Xiaomi to lead automotive sales efforts.

The 550,000-Vehicle Challenge

These high-profile hires come as Xiaomi faces a critical “capacity test.” In March 2025, Xiaomi delivered over 20,000 units, but to reach Lei Jun’s ambitious 2026 annual target of 550,000 vehicles, the company must scale to a daily delivery rate of approximately 1,700 units.

According to a representative from a leading China EV talent recruitment agency, “Scaling from 20,000 to over 50,000 units per month requires a manufacturing veteran who has seen the ‘production hell’ of a startup and conquered it. Song Gang is exactly that person.”

Expanding Infrastructure and Safety Focus

To support this growth, Xiaomi is aggressively expanding its footprint. The Beijing Phase I and II plants are currently operating at full capacity, with Phase III recently commencing production. A new Wuhan plant is also scheduled for May 2026.

Beyond hardware, Xiaomi is doubling down on safety. CEO Lei Jun recently revealed that Xiaomi’s safety-related team exceeds 3,500 members. The company is also establishing a Safety Advisory Committee to invite experts from universities and research institutes to evaluate the SU7’s performance.

Financial Strength and Market Dominance

Xiaomi’s 2025 annual results prove the “EV bet” is paying off. The company reported a total revenue of 457.3 billion RMB (a 25.0% YoY increase), with the Smart EV and innovative business segment contributing 106.1 billion RMB—surpassing the 100-billion-RMB milestone for the first time.

As Xiaomi transitions from a smartphone giant to an EV powerhouse, its ability to attract top-tier talent through a specialized China EV talent recruitment agency remains its greatest competitive advantage. With Hu Zhengnan leading technology and Song Gang overseeing the “war room” of production, Xiaomi is well-positioned to dominate the global smart mobility landscape by 2026.

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