Kai Langer will take a key role at Xiaomi’s European Design Center.
Recently, former BMW i Series design director Kai Langer announced on LinkedIn that he officially joined Xiaomi on August 1.
According to informed sources, Langer will assume a core position at Xiaomi’s European Design Center. He becomes the latest high-profile hire from a European automotive giant, following the recruitment of BMW iX’s lead designer Tianyuan Li, former BMW M division engineer Rudolf Dittrich, and Ferrari F1 aerodynamicist Ricard Aiguabella.
Public information shows that Kai Langer spent over 20 years at BMW, where he participated in the design of the first-generation BMW i3 and i8 launched in 2013. He also gained extensive experience in BMW’s advanced design division.
He previously co-designed the BMW iX with Tianyuan Li, now Xiaomi Auto’s chief designer. Langer has said: “If a design doesn’t provoke strong emotional reactions, we haven’t done our job.” He believes the gravest mistake is being boring — neutral or flat responses equate to failure.
Interestingly, Xiaomi Auto officially established its automotive R&D center this year in Munich, Germany — strategically located between BMW’s headquarters and Porsche’s development base. This move opens the door for Xiaomi to integrate top-tier European automotive talent and technological resources.
With more “German design DNA” joining the team, cross-cultural experience is becoming a crucial piece of Xiaomi Auto’s global strategy and an important step toward its planned international expansion in 2027.
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