by Chinese manufacturer Li Auto conducts controversial crash test
Chinese automakers are actively demonstrating the safety of their electric vehicles, sometimes resorting to unconventional methods. One such demonstration was a crash test of the Li Auto i8 electric SUV, which collided head-on with a Chenglong truck.
The video shows the approximately 2.6-ton car crashing into the 8-ton truck, which was moving at 40 km/h, at a speed of 60 km/h. Despite the difference in mass, the Li Auto i8’s structure withstood the impact – the roof pillars did not deform, the airbags deployed, and the doors opened automatically.
Reaction from competitors and independent experts
The truck’s reaction was unexpected – its cabin tilted severely, and its wheels momentarily lifted off the ground. This caused outrage from Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, the manufacturer of Chenglong. They stated that the test was staged and does not reflect real road conditions.
“The video was not intended to evaluate the product quality of other brands,” Li Auto stated in response to the accusations.
The China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI) confirmed that the test was conducted according to their standards. The truck was chosen only for its weight, and the only modifications were repainting and adding ballast to achieve the required mass.
This incident raises questions about the ethics of marketing demonstrations in the automotive industry. Although Li Auto emphasizes that the test was not aimed at competitors, its results still caused public resonance and discussions about the limits of advertising campaigns. Similar incidents could affect consumer trust not only in individual brands but in the industry as a whole.
