This article will look at the top 20 automotive billionaires. The list includes some of the world’s richest people who have made their fortunes in the automotive sector.
1. Elon Musk
The 50 year Old SpaceX and Tesla (TSLA) CEO’s net worth is now at $300 billion, according to Forbes’ real-time rankings.
Elon Musk makes it to the list of top automotive billionaires courtesy of his 17% stake in Tesla shares.
According to Wikipedia Elon Mask started his first Zip 2 company in 1995 together with his brother and two other founders. The company was later acquired by Compaq for $307 Million in 1999.
Other companies where Elon Musk has been involved include
- X.com and PayPal
- SpaceX
- Tesla
- SolarCity – provider of solar power systems in the United States.
- Neuralink – neurotechnology startup company that who’s aim is to integrate the human brain with artificial intelligence
- The Boring Company – A company that specializes in constructing tunnels with an aim of providing safe and low-cost transporting
2. Li Shufu
Net Worth: $26.8 Billion
Country: China
Automative Company: Geely, Lotus and Daimler
The 58-year-old Automotive Billionaire is an Engineer by Profession from China. His net worth currently stands at $26.8 Billion and is the chairman of Geely Automobile Holdings a company he established in 1986 and has grown to one of the largest automakers in China.
His private holding company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group acquired Swedish car brand Volvo in 2010 in addition Li Shuf has stakes in Lotus and Daimler where he owns 9.7% of the German automaker.
3.Susanne Klatten
Net Worth:$25.3 Billion
Country: Germany
Company: BMW
Age:59
Klatten Has a 21% stake in BMW the German-based automotive company which also owns other brands like Mini and Rolls-Royce.
She also has stakes in Altana a chemical company, credit card maker Entrust Datacard, carbon producer SGL Carbon, and turbine developer Nordex.
Susanne Klatten is the richest woman in Germany and the 44th richest person in the world.
Sussane Klatten and his brother Stefan Quandt are descendants of Guenther Quandt a German industrialist who founded BMW and Altana (chemicals)
4. Stefan Quandt
Net Worth:$21.4 Billion
Country: Germany
Company: BMW
Age:55
Quandt the younger brother to Susanne Klatten has 26% stake in of Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) , which also owns other brands like Mini and Rolls-Royce.
He also has stakes in logistic company Logwin, credit card maker Entrust Datacard, homeopathic medicine company, and Biologische Heilmittel Heel.
5. Wang Chuanfu
Net Worth:$20.5 Billion
Country: China
Company: BYD
Age:56
Wang Chuanfu is another Automobile Billionaire who is ranked by Forbes as the 86th richest person in the world
The founder and currently the largest shareholder of BYD an electric car manufacturer. BYD also makes batteries used in mobile phones. By the year 2020, the company had revenues of $22.3 Billion.
6.Lu Xiangyang
Net Worth:$16.5 Billion
Country: China
Company: BYD
Age:59
Lu Xiangyang launched BYD together with his cousin Wang Chuanfu. Lu Xiangyang also owns Youngy Investment Holding Group which has an interest in the manufacturing of electric vehicles and electric vehicles, lithium batteries, equipment manufacturing, and mineral resource development.
7.Wei Jianjun and Family
Net Worth:$13.7 Billion
Country: China
Company: Great Wall Motor
Wei Jianjun heads Great Wall Motor which is the largest SUV manufacturer in China.
Wei Jianjun turned around the fortunes of Great Wall Motor from a debt-plagued company to revenues of ($15.95 billion) in 2020.
The company has manufactured over 10 million vehicles.