Former Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory Head Song Gang Makes First Public Speech as Xiaomi Auto Executive, Says Tesla's Moat Lies in Manufacturing Capability

On June 13, 2026, at the China Automotive Chongqing Forum, Song Gang, Vice President and Chief of Staff of Xiaomi's Automobile Division, delivered his first public speech on behalf of Xiaomi. He noted that the industry logic of automotive manufacturing and supply chains has fundamentally shifted from traditional perceptions—it is no longer confined to assembly lines and industrial welding guns. Song emphasized that Tesla’s true competitive moat lies in its manufacturing capabilities, which enable the company to rapidly implement new materials and technologies while continuously innovating, thereby maintaining its edge in the market. He further stressed that for Xiaomi Auto, manufacturing and supply chain management are critical pillars supporting the company’s steady growth. Song joined Tesla’s Gigafactory Shanghai in 2018, where he successively served as Senior Director of Manufacturing, Vice President of Manufacturing, and Plant Manager of Gigafactory Shanghai. He led the development of Tesla’s Megapack energy storage Gigafactory in Shanghai. In 2024, he joined Envision Energy as Senior Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain. In April 2025, he was appointed Vice President and Chief of Staff of Xiaomi Group’s Automobile Division, and starting in May 2025, he assumed responsibility for the Production Manufacturing Department, Intelligent Manufacturing Department, and Systems Operations Department.