Xiaomi Enters Vehicle Photovoltaics, May Collaborate With Former Executive Li Chuangqi's Startup Project

According to sources familiar with the matter, Li Chuangqi, former head of Xiaomi’s wearable devices business, has secretly launched a startup focused on vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (PV) technology, which will collaborate with Xiaomi. As for why he chose the vehicle-integrated PV sector, insiders cited two main reasons. First, it helps circumvent non-compete agreements—a precedent exists, such as Wang Teng, former General Manager of Xiaomi’s China Region Marketing Department and General Manager of the Redmi brand, who, after leaving Xiaomi, entered the health and sleep sector, an industry unrelated to smartphones. Second, Li Chuangqi personally sees substantial value and integration potential in the vehicle-integrated PV market. Industry expert Yan Jun stated: “Once the technology matures, the integration of photovoltaics into vehicle bodies will become a critical component of automotive engineering—characterized by high barriers to entry and difficulty in replication, thereby representing a significant incremental market.”