Xiaomi opens European R&D center in Munich, poaching BMW, Porsche, and Lamborghini veterans
The centre has about 50 other staff and is led by Rudolf Dittrich, who previously worked on BMW’s M4 GT3 race car project. Claus-Dieter Groll, another BMW veteran, heads vehicle dynamics. Groll has worked on several BMW models, including the 3 Series, 4 Series, Z4, X5, X6, and X7.
Name Position Previous / representative work
Rudolf Dittrich General Manager, European R&D Center BMW M4 GT3
Kai Langer User Experience Department Head BMW i8
Claus-Dieter Groll Vehicle Dynamics Department Head BMW iX3
Dusan Sarac Whole Vehicle Department Head Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Jean-Arthur Madelaine Design Head, European R&D Center Mercedes-Benz Vision GT concept supercar
Fabian Schmölz-Obermeier Exterior Design Department Head Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Lamborghini Temerario
Julien Cueff Interior Design Department Head Mercedes-Benz
Hubert Hügle Hardware Development Department Head AMG race car
Simon Schmitt Fluid Dynamics Department Head BMW GT-Cars
Liu Chengqing Operations Department Head BMW long-wheelbase 5 Series
Jakob Lukosch CMF Design Department Head GAGGENAU
The Munich centre also underlines Xiaomi’s broader overseas ambitions. Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s founder and CEO, has said the company plans to begin global expansion in 2027, with Europe as its first overseas market. Germany is expected to be the first stop for Xiaomi’s European EV entry.