Future Mobility recruits BMW i executives for China EV push
Future Mobility, backed by Tencent and Foxconn, has hired key former BMW i managers as it prepares to accelerate electric vehicle development in China.
Future Mobility, a Chinese electric vehicle company supported by Tencent Holdings and Foxconn Technology Group, has recruited several senior figures from BMW’s i division as it looks to strengthen its management team and fast-track development of its own electric cars.
The appointments bring together experience from BMW’s i project, which delivered the i3 and i8, at a time when Chinese authorities are pushing domestic manufacturers to take a lead in electric vehicle technology. Carsten Breitfeld, previously responsible for the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid, was named chief executive of Future Mobility in April 2016. He is joined by Dirk Abendroth (software and connectivity), Benoit Jacob (design) and Henrik Wenders (marketing), all of whom held senior roles on BMW’s electric sub-brand.
Daniel Kirchert, formerly the head of Infiniti China, has also joined Future Mobility as chief operations officer. The company is aiming to produce premium electric vehicles for the Chinese market, drawing on its new team’s experience in design, software and brand development.
BMW i experience moves to China
BMW’s i division was established to develop advanced electric vehicles, with the i3 and i8 representing the group’s most ambitious electrification efforts to date. The departure of several key managers to a Chinese start-up underlines the growing competition for talent as China’s government targets leadership in electric mobility.
Future Mobility’s backers, Tencent and Foxconn, provide substantial financial and technological resources. The company’s recruitment drive follows a broader trend of Chinese manufacturers seeking expertise from established global players to accelerate their own EV projects. This echoes moves by other firms in the sector, as seen in initiatives described inFord May Build Electric Cars in China.
Ambitions for premium EVs in China
Future Mobility has not yet revealed detailed product plans, but the calibre of its new executive team suggests a focus on high-end electric models aimed at competing with both domestic and international rivals. The company’s strategy reflects China’s drive to become a global leader in electric vehicles, not only through government policy but by attracting international talent and investment.
