Zhao Yongpo takes over as Wei CEO; Blue Mountain update set for Dec 22

Great Wall Motor has undergone another leadership reshuffle, this time affecting its premium marque Wei. IT Home reports that Haval CEO Zhao Yongpo has officially said he will take over as CEO of Wei Brand. It was also confirmed that the updated Wei Blue Mountain Smart Advanced model will be presented on December 22.

The move had been widely anticipated amid rumors that former Wei head Feng Fuzhi was temporarily relieved of management duties. Earlier this month, sources close to Great Wall’s leadership indicated that the Haval executive was being considered as his successor.

At the same time, internal changes are unfolding at Weipai New Energy, pointing to a broader restructuring of the brand. Wei’s history suggests a company still searching for a steady management formula: since its launch in 2016, it has cycled through eight CEOs in nine years — an uncommon pace even by the standards of China’s auto market.

Given Zhao Yongpo’s experience steering both mass-market and niche labels within Great Wall, the appointment looks logical. Yet the rapid turnover at Wei remains a cautionary signal for buyers and investors. Pairing a leadership handover with a product update hints at a bid to project momentum quickly, but the new CEO’s success will depend not only on fresh models; it will hinge on whether the brand can finally lock in a stable strategy.