Ding Lei, co-founder of LeSEE, has stepped down from his current positions as Global Vice Chairman and CEO for China and the Asia-Pacific region. He is not leaving the company, rather, he will take on a role as a strategic advisor at LeEco’s research center.
Ding on Monday posted a statement on Weibo, announcing that he’s resigning from the top leadership roles at LeSEE, LeEco’s electric vehicle subsidiary, but will continue to serve as a strategic advisor.
“After carefully discussing with LeEco founder Jia Yueting, I decided not to continue to serve as LeSEE Global Vice Chairman and CEO for China and the Asia-Pacific region, due to personal health issues,” the statement wrote.
Ding, the former vice president of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), joined LeEco in 2015 as chairman of LeSupercar, and has been working closely with Jia Yueting to globally expand their business of self-driving electric cars.
Zhang Hailiang, LeSEE’s COO, is taking over Ding’s role and will be serving as LeSEE global CEO. Prior to joining LeSEE in April 2016, Zhang served as vice president of SAIC, one of the four largest state-owned Chinese auto makers.
According to Shanghai Securities News, Jia said in January that LeSEE is about to start its Series A financing. With Ding stepping down, the tech company might have to explain more to their investors regarding its recent change of leadership.
Also read: What led tech giant LeEco into troubled waters
(Top photo from bbs.le.com)