Richard Yu

Huawei’s Richard Yu addressed the company’s use of the phrase “leading far ahead” in a recent interview, clarifying he uses it sparingly, reserved for genuine achievements. He highlighted the significant impact of U.S. sanctions, causing smartphone shipments to plummet from 240-250 million annually to just over 20 million. Yu also refuted rumors of a fine imposed by Ren Zhengfei for using the phrase, stating it has been overused and the rumors were false. The company aims to only use the term when definitively leading in a specific area.

Huawei’s Consumer Business Group Chairman Richard Yu was seen casually visiting a Shenzhen mall, indulging in cakes from a local bakery. Netizens noted his relaxed demeanor and lack of accompanying personnel. This sighting follows a previous report of Yu and another Huawei executive, He Gang, travelling unescorted in an airport shuttle. Both were seen using their smartphones. These public appearances portray a down-to-earth image of Huawei executives despite the company’s high-stakes competition in the global market.

Photos of Huawei executives Richard Yu and He Gang sharing an airport shuttle have sparked social media interest. The executives, traveling without entourages, were observed using Huawei devices: He Gang with the Pura 80 Ultra and Yu with the Pura X foldable phone. Their trip suggests ongoing efforts to promote Huawei’s Pura series, crucial for regaining market share. Yu’s low-profile lifestyle and hands-on approach, despite his influence, are highlighted. He acknowledges being an introvert pushed to promote products, showcasing authenticity appreciated by consumers.

Huawei’s Richard Yu revealed internal struggles behind the HarmonyOS-powered Smart Car initiative at the 2025 Future Automotive Pioneers Conference. He discussed challenges including external policy hurdles and internal misunderstandings. Yu highlighted the evolution of the project and drew parallels to Huawei’s earlier brand-building efforts, expressing optimism that the effort will ultimately succeed and contribute significantly to the Chinese automotive market.

A viral video of Huawei’s Richard Yu in an AITO M8, appearing momentarily distracted while driving, has sparked debates on autonomous vehicle safety and driver responsibility. Captured in Beijing on May 26, the footage shows a bystander questioning Yu’s alertness, prompting mixed social media reactions—some defending his workload, others speculating about technology testing. Analysts link the incident to Huawei’s push in China’s competitive EV market, where its cars claimed 12% of Q1 2024 new energy sales. Amid warnings from safety experts about required driver supervision for ADAS systems, the publicity may benefit Huawei’s automotive division, projected to see 40% revenue growth to $2.8 billion this year.