RedCarpetLife
145
In the world today
Eric Li

Eric Li

E. Li
0.24% | + $45.48M
$18.69 B ₹ 1.71 Lk Cr
Real Time Net Worth #145 Ranking as of 01 Mar 2026 By Forbes

More on Eric Li

Gender

Male

Age

58Y

Country

China

Born On

January, 1968

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Married

Children

1

Education

Unknown

Designation Info :

Self-Made

Yes

Entrepreneur Type

Self-Made (Automotive)

Primary Organization

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group

Titles

Founder & Chairman

Sources of Wealth

Geely

Industry

Automotive, Manufacturing

About Eric Li


E ric Li, also known as Li Shufu, is a Chinese automotive tycoon and the founder and chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, one of China's largest and most successful private automakers. His is a classic self-made story. He started his career with a small business making refrigerator parts and later moved into motorcycle manufacturing before entering the highly competitive automotive industry in the late 1990s.

He built Geely into a major domestic automaker and then embarked on an ambitious global expansion. His most famous move was the 2010 acquisition of the Swedish car brand Volvo from Ford Motor Company, a deal that stunned the automotive world. He has since overseen a remarkable turnaround and revitalization of the Volvo brand. His global portfolio has continued to grow, with Geely acquiring stakes in other iconic automotive brands, including the British sports car maker Lotus, and becoming the largest single shareholder in the German auto giant Daimler (the parent of Mercedes-Benz).

Advertisement

Quick Reads


  • Founder and Chairman of the Chinese automaker Geely Holding Group.
  • A self-made billionaire, he started by making refrigerator parts.
  • Acquired the Swedish car brand Volvo from Ford in 2010.
  • Also owns the British sports car brand Lotus.
  • He is the largest single shareholder in Mercedes-Benz parent, Daimler AG.

Early Life and Background


Eric Li (Li Shufu) is a Chinese businessman, the self-made billionaire founder and Chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, one of China's largest automotive manufacturers and a major global player. His wealth is rooted in his entrepreneurial vision to transform China's domestic auto industry and expand globally through strategic acquisition.

Li's career is defined by his audacious acquisitions of international automotive brands, most famously acquiring Volvo Cars from Ford in 2010, a pivotal move that showcased Chinese industrial ambition on the global stage. His philosophy centers on creating user ecosystems across borders and providing seamlessly connected multi-screen experiences—a strategy that now includes developing smartphones to integrate with his connected vehicles.

Career Journey of Eric Li


Eric Li's strategic vision guided Geely Group's transformation from a small, local manufacturer into a global automotive giant. The company's success is tied to its mastery of the domestic Chinese auto market and its bold international expansion.

His defining move was the $1.8 billion acquisition of Volvo Cars in 2010. Under his leadership, Volvo has thrived, cementing Geely's reputation for successful corporate stewardship of international brands. In 2021, Li made a surprising but strategic move: he launched a new company, Hubei Xingji Shidai Technology Co Ltd, to manufacture smartphones, recognizing the necessary synergy between intelligent vehicle cockpits and mobile technologies. This focus on connected mobility (including investments in flying cars and helicopter taxis) ensures Geely's position in the future of transportation.

Advertisement

Eric Li's Timeline


2010:

Orchestrates the $1.8 billion acquisition of Volvo Cars from Ford (Major Acquisition).

2021:

Launches Hubei Xingji Shidai Technology Co Ltd to manufacture smartphones (Strategic Diversification).

Ongoing:

Continues as Founder and Chairman, guiding the Geely Group's expansion into EVs, connected mobility, and flying cars (Executive Leadership).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


Eric Li's wealth is concentrated in his founding equity and continued leadership of the private automotive giant, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, and its publicly listed subsidiaries.

  • Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Founder & Chairman): The core private asset, a major automotive manufacturer controlling brands like Volvo Cars, Lotus, Polestar, and Geely Auto.
  • Volvo Cars (Major Owner): His successful, high-profile $1.8 billion acquisition of the iconic Swedish brand from Ford.
  • Smartphone Venture: He founded Hubei Xingji Shidai Technology in 2021 to manufacture smartphones that integrate with intelligent vehicles.
  • Technology Focus: His strategy focuses on connected mobility, electric vehicles (EVs), and flying cars.

Advertisement

Philanthropy and Social Impact


Eric Li's social impact is massive and structural, stemming from Geely's role in driving the global automotive industry's transition to electric vehicles (EVs). His company provides thousands of stable jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and design globally. His structural contribution is the successful integration of Chinese capital with Western heritage brands, fostering international industrial cooperation.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives. His career is a testament to the profitability of bold, strategic industrial acquisition and a long-term vision for the future of transportation.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


Eric Li maintains the professional, composed style of a Chinese industrial executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits. His aesthetic is one of serious authority and stability, befitting a multi-billionaire commanding a massive global automotive empire.

Residing in Hangzhou, China, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is defined by his commitment to industrial scale, strategic acquisition, and his bold vision for the future of connected transportation.

Advertisement

Quotes and Philosophy


“The major trend in the coming future is to create user ecosystems across borders and provide users with a more convenient, smarter and seamlessly connected multi-screen experience.”

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • He is the founder and Chairman of Geely Holding Group (owner of Volvo Cars).
  • He acquired Volvo Cars for $1.8 billion in 2010.
  • He launched a new company in 2021 to manufacture smartphones to create a seamless multi-screen experience with his cars.
  • The company has made futuristic bets on flying cars and helicopter taxis.
  • He holds a 55 percent stake in the new smartphone company.
  • His wealth is tied to the successful integration of Chinese capital with international heritage brands.
  • His philosophy emphasizes user ecosystems across borders.

Advertisement

More Profiles


Alisher Usmanov

-0.3% | -$43.84M

Sylvan Adams

0% | $0.00M

You May Like


Sources & References


This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:

  • Wealth Data: Real-time tracking and historical data from Forbes Billionaires and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • Biographical Records: Educational and career history sourced from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and official university alumni directories.
  • Regulatory Filings: Shareholder and executive disclosures from stock exchange databases, including HKEX, SSE, SZSE, and SEC EDGAR.
  • Corporate History: Primary data from annual company reports, founding charters, and verified press announcements.

All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.

If you find any inaccuracies, please report them to admin@redcarpetlife.in

Sponsored Content