Quick Facts
LeoBiography
William Li or Li Bin (Chinese: 李斌; pinyin: Lǐ Bīn; born August 9, 1974) is a Chinese business executive and entrepreneur. The founder and CEO of the electric car manufacturer NIO, he is known as the "Elon Musk of China". In February 2019 Forbes estimated Li's net worth to be US$1.4 billion. Li has co-founded and invested in over 40 companies in the internet and automotive industries.
Early life and education
Li was born in 1974 in Anhui on a dairy farm, he worked and attended school. From age 7 he and his family saved money so Li could attend university. Li attended Peking University where he received his bachelor's degree in sociology and a minor in law.
Career
Bitauto Holdings Ltd.
Bitauto Holdings Ltd. was founded by Li in 2000. It was Li's first major company where he served as CEO and chairman. He sold the company in 2013.
NIO
In November 2014 Li founded NIO a luxury electric car manufacturer looking to break into the enormous Chinese automotive industry. After the companies launch numerous other companies invested most notable of which included: Tencent, Temasek, Baidu, Lenovo and TPG. By 2016 NIO saw nearly one billion in investments by its partners and later that year they saw the debut of a two-door coupé the NIO EP9. The development took nearly 18 months.
In a 2019 interview with 60 Minutes Li announced NIO produced 10,000 units in 2017 and 14,000 in 2018. Li also said the company were hoping to deliver 20,000 or more units in 2019.
In 2018 the company went public opening at the New York Stock Exchange with Li ringing the bell.
Awards and honors
- GQ China Entrepreneur of the Year - 2017
- China Automobile Dealers Association Person of the Year - 2017
- 2017 Top 10 Economic Personages of China