Geely Enters a New Era as Founder Li Shufu Steps Down as Chairman, An Conghui Takes Over

For more than two decades, Li Shufu has been one of the defining figures behind Geely’s transformation from a relatively small Chinese automaker into a global automotive powerhouse.

Now, one of the most recognisable names in the Chinese automotive industry is stepping away from the chairman’s seat at Geely Automobile Holdings Limited, marking a major change in the company’s leadership structure.

Li Shufu, also known as Eric Li, has stepped down as Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Geely Automobile Holdings, with An Conghui taking over as the company’s new chairman.

The change does not mean Li is leaving Geely altogether. Far from it.

He remains Chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (ZGH), the wider group behind a growing portfolio of automotive brands and businesses. Li has also been recognised as Honorary Chairman for Life of Geely Automobile Holdings in recognition of his contribution to the company.

The significance of the announcement therefore lies less in Li’s departure from Geely and more in where the company is heading next.

From founder-led Geely to professional management

Li Shufu’s influence on Geely is difficult to overstate.

Since becoming involved with Geely Automobile Holdings in 2005, he has been closely associated with the company’s strategic direction, corporate governance and international expansion. Geely’s own corporate profile identifies Li as its founder, controlling shareholder and long-serving chairman.

Under his leadership, Geely expanded well beyond its traditional domestic automotive business.

Today, the wider Geely ecosystem has interests spanning numerous automotive operations and international brands, while Geely Automobile Holdings itself has developed a portfolio that includes the Geely brand and Zeekr, alongside its relationship with other businesses within the wider Geely group.

That makes the latest leadership transition particularly significant.

Rather than simply replacing one chairman with another, Geely is effectively moving toward a more institutionalised and professionally managed structure, with responsibility distributed across an experienced management team.

The company has positioned the changes as part of its long-term succession planning and its effort to strengthen professional management, organisational efficiency and the wider “One Geely” strategy.

An Conghui takes the wheel

Taking over from Li Shufu is An Conghui, a veteran Geely executive with almost three decades of experience within the organisation.

An joined Geely Holding in 1996 and has held numerous senior positions during his career, including chief engineering officer, general manager, vice president and president. He is currently CEO of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and also serves as chairman of Geely Automobile Group.

His appointment is therefore less of an outside succession and more of an internal transfer of leadership to one of Geely’s most experienced executives.

An has previously been involved in several important areas of Geely’s business, including operations involving brands such as Emgrand and Zeekr, as well as powertrain and drivetrain operations.

His extensive experience could prove particularly valuable as Geely attempts to coordinate its increasingly complex business structure across brands, technologies and international markets.

As chairman of Geely Automobile Holdings, An is expected to focus on improving strategic coordination between the listed company and its controlling shareholder, while supporting the group’s long-term development.

More changes are coming at the top

The chairman transition is only one part of the wider management reshuffle.

Gan Jiayue, who has been CEO of Geely Automobile Group since 2021, is taking over as CEO of Geely Automobile Holdings, bringing his operational experience into the listed company’s top management structure. Geely’s official management information identifies Gan as the executive responsible for the operation management of Geely Automobile Group.

Meanwhile, longtime Geely Automobile Holdings CEO Gui Shengyue is moving into the role of Vice Chairman.

Daniel Li Donghui is also stepping down as Vice Chairman while remaining an Executive Director.

Taken together, these changes create a clearer division between strategic leadership, board governance and day-to-day operational management.

That distinction could become increasingly important as Geely continues to expand beyond its home market.

Why the “One Geely” strategy matters

The phrase “One Geely” is particularly important when looking at the company’s latest restructuring.

Geely’s business has grown considerably over the years, with multiple brands, technologies and businesses operating across different markets.

That expansion creates enormous opportunities, but it also creates a management challenge: how do you maintain the advantages of a large automotive group without allowing individual businesses to operate in isolation?

A more professionally structured management system could allow Geely to share technology, platforms, supply chains, research and development capabilities and global resources more efficiently.

For Geely, this is becoming increasingly important as the global automotive industry moves rapidly toward electrification, software-defined vehicles and intelligent mobility.

The timing is also significant

The leadership transition comes at a time when Geely Automobile Holdings continues to post strong sales momentum.

According to Geely’s latest corporate data, the company recorded 1,673,119 vehicles in cumulative sales for the first seven months of 2026, representing a 2% year-on-year increase. July alone contributed 250,161 units, up 5% year-on-year.

The company’s growth is increasingly supported by new-energy vehicles and overseas markets, with Geely continuing to push its brands beyond China.

That makes the leadership change more than a corporate governance story.

It could directly influence how quickly Geely can coordinate its brands, expand internationally and compete against established global manufacturers and other fast-growing Chinese automakers.

Li Shufu is stepping back, but not stepping away

For automotive followers, perhaps the most important distinction is that Li Shufu is not leaving the Geely empire.

He remains Chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, meaning he continues to sit at the top of the wider organisation.

Geely Holding’s broader ecosystem includes major international automotive interests and brands, while Geely Automobile Holdings remains one of the group’s key listed automotive entities.

In other words, the change represents a shift in day-to-day corporate leadership, rather than the end of Li Shufu’s involvement with Geely.

His continued position at ZGH also provides continuity while the next generation of professional management takes on greater responsibility.

A new chapter for one of China’s biggest automotive groups

Li Shufu’s departure from the chairman position at Geely Automobile Holdings represents the end of a particularly important chapter.

But it may also be the beginning of something equally significant.

Geely has evolved from a founder-driven Chinese automaker into a multinational automotive organisation with increasingly sophisticated technology, multiple brands and ambitions that extend far beyond its domestic market.

With An Conghui now leading the board and Gan Jiayue taking charge of Geely Automobile Holdings’ executive operations, the company is putting experienced Geely veterans in key positions while Li Shufu remains at the helm of the wider Geely Holding Group.

The real question now is not whether Geely can continue growing.

It is how far the company can go once its future is increasingly driven by systems, professional management and a global “One Geely” strategy rather than a single founder-led leadership model.

And that could make this one of the most consequential leadership transitions in Geely’s history.