If intelligent vehicles were organic lifeforms, autonomous driving would be their soul. Recent strategic shifts at Chinese EV maker Li Auto and Porsche's design leadership transition reveal telling signals about the industry's transformation.
Li Auto Restructures Autonomous Driving Division
Li Auto's significant R&D reorganization establishes three core teams:
- Foundation Model Team: Led by Zhan Kun, focusing on VLA large model development and in-house chip integration - the cornerstone of Li's autonomous driving strategy.
- Software Entity Team: Merging autonomous driving with smart cabin systems under Gou Xiaofei's leadership, suggesting tighter integration between driving and user experience.
- Hardware Entity Team: Former autonomous driving VP Lang Xianpeng now leads robotics development, signaling expansion beyond automotive applications.
This restructuring indicates Li Auto's accelerated push toward full-stack self-development in autonomous technology. However, team integration challenges and chip development progress remain critical hurdles.
Porsche's Design Legacy in Transition
Porsche faces a design crossroads as Michael Mauer, the architect behind iconic models like the 911 and Taycan, steps down after two decades. His successor, Tobias Sühlmann (formerly McLaren's design chief), inherits the challenge of evolving Porsche's DNA for the electric era while preserving its heritage.
The leadership change comes as Porsche navigates electrification and digital transformation, where design must balance tradition with technological demands like aerodynamics and battery packaging.
Industry Developments: Electric Pickups and AV Labs
Beyond these leadership shifts, the industry continues evolving:
- Chery launched its first electric pickup, the R08 EV, targeting practical users with competitive pricing and range.
- Uber established its AV Labs in the U.S., leveraging ride-hailing data to accelerate autonomous technology commercialization.
These moves reflect an industry simultaneously addressing immediate market needs while preparing for technological disruption. From organizational restructuring to product launches, automakers are strategically positioning themselves for an uncertain automotive future.