BMW executives 'to join' Tencent-backed electric-car startup

A Chinese electric-vehicle company backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd and Foxconn Technology Group has hired a team of managers from BMW AG's i subbrand, according to people familiar with the matter.

Dirk Abendroth, Benoit Jacob and Henrik Wenders will join Future Mobility Corp as vice-presidents of software and connectivity, design, and marketing, respectively, according to the people, who declined to be identified before the information is made public. The executives will join Carsten Breitfeld, the former project manager for BMW's i8 plug-in sport car hired to be Future Mobility's chief executive officer.

Future Mobility, which also counts dealership group China Harmony New Energy Auto Holding Ltd as a shareholder, is one of the several electric-vehicle startups getting backed by technology companies in China as the government seeks more innovation within its auto industry. Policymakers have also earmarked new-energy vehicles, the government's term for plug-in and fully electric autos, as a strategic, emerging industry for support.