# Lei Zhang

> Lei Zhang is the CEO of CARIAD, Inc., Volkswagen Group's U.S. automotive software subsidiary based in Mountain View, California. A seasoned technology executive with 16+ years spanning Microsoft, Google, Huami, and NIO, Zhang now leads CARIAD's Interior, Infotainment & Digital Experience division globally. Known for pioneering NIO's NOMI digital assistant and championing software-defined vehicle innovation, he earned MotorTrend's Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Award in 2023. His work sits at the intersection of Android OS expertise, AI-driven user experience, and the fast-evolving world of connected, electric mobility.

- **Role:** CEO at CARIAD, Inc.
- **Organizations:** CARIAD, Inc., Volkswagen Group, NIO, Huami Corp (Zepp Health), Google, Microsoft
- **Nationality:** Chinese-American
- **Education:** Master's degree, Computer Engineering, Peking University
- **Known for:** MotorTrend Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Award (January 2023), Led development of NOMI, NIO's AI-driven in-car digital assistant with computer vision, facial recognition, and sentiment analysis, Appointed CEO of CARIAD, Inc. in May 2024, succeeding Scott Runner, to lead VW Group's U.S. tech hub

## Career timeline

- **~2006-2009** — Software engineer at Microsoft, working on the Bing search engine
- **2010-2015** — Tech Lead Manager for Android Automotive at Google, including work on Android Auto
- **2015-2019** — VP Software and Chief Architect at Huami Corp (Zepp Health), Xiaomi's wearables subsidiary, based in Silicon Valley
- **2019** — Joined NIO as VP of Software Development, tasked with stabilizing the digital cockpit unit during a turbulent period for the EV maker
- **2019-2024** — VP Digital Cockpit and Software Development at NIO, leading the global Digital Cockpit team in Silicon Valley and championing the NOMI AI assistant
- **2023** — Honored with MotorTrend's Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Award
- **May 2024** — Appointed CEO of CARIAD, Inc. and Co-lead of Interior, Infotainment & Digital Experience (IIX) globally at Volkswagen Group's automotive software company

## Achievements

- MotorTrend Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Award (January 2023)
- Led development of NOMI, NIO's AI-driven in-car digital assistant with computer vision, facial recognition, and sentiment analysis
- Appointed CEO of CARIAD, Inc. in May 2024, succeeding Scott Runner, to lead VW Group's U.S. tech hub
- Co-lead of Interior, Infotainment & Digital Experience (IIX) globally for all Volkswagen Group brands
- Built and led international software R&D teams across Silicon Valley operations at NIO and Huami
- Co-authored forward-thinking article on personalized autonomous driving comfort with Emmanuel Saez
- Pioneered Android-based infotainment and digital cockpit architectures for mass-market electric vehicles

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — Lei Zhang appeared in a YouTube Shorts video discussing intelligent, personalized in-car experiences at IAA Mobility, representing CARIAD's global infotainment direction
- **2024-05** — Appointed CEO of CARIAD, Inc. and Co-lead of IIX globally, replacing Scott Runner as head of Volkswagen Group's U.S. software operations
- **2024-04** — Departed NIO after nearly five years as VP Digital Cockpit and Software Development
- **2023-01** — Received MotorTrend Software-Defined Vehicle Innovator Award at CES

## Links

- Website: https://cariad.us
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lzhangray
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/A6xyx03K6h8

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lei-zhang
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-16