to eliminate disparaging comparisons and other improper competitive behaviors.

Sina Technology News, on the evening of August 6th, according to the official Weibo account of Li Auto, Li Auto, China Automotive Engineering Research Institute, and Dongfeng Liuzhou Automobile Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘Dongfeng Liuzhou’) issued a joint statement.

The statement mentioned that recently, the content related to the collision test involving the Li Auto i8 and a third-party vehicle (Dongfeng Liuzhou Chenglong brand) has attracted widespread public attention. This has sparked discussions within the industry on the standardization of information release for car product testing, the transparency of standard execution, and the protection of corporate brand images. To clarify the facts, eliminate misunderstandings, and jointly maintain a healthy industry ecosystem, Beijing Li Auto Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ‘Li Auto’), China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as ‘China AEI’), and Dongfeng Liuzhou have reached a consensus after thorough communication and now issue this joint statement.

Li Auto’s statement expressed that the purpose of this test was to verify and enhance the passive safety performance of the Li Auto i8, and it was not aimed at questioning the safety and quality performance of any other brand’s vehicles. For the unintended involvement of the Dongfeng Liuzhou Chenglong brand in the public debate due to the test, Li Auto acknowledges that it underestimated the potential brand association risks, causing the Dongfeng Liuzhou Chenglong brand to be unfairly implicated in negative public opinion, damaging its brand image, and causing adverse effects. It also led to misunderstandings among long-term supporters and users of Dongfeng Liuzhou products. Li Auto sincerely apologizes for this. Li Auto had no intention of offending, nor did it deliberately aim to question or imply the quality and safety of Dongfeng Liuzhou’s vehicles through this test. Li Auto will take further measures to prevent similar controversies from arising again.

China AEI’s statement expressed that, as the commissioned executing institution for this test, China AEI failed to timely and clearly explain to the public that the used Dongfeng Liuzhou Chenglong vehicle was only used as a ‘mobile barrier’ that met specific standards, and the test itself was not, and did not constitute, an evaluation of the safety and quality performance of the product. This led to a lack of key information and public misunderstanding. In terms of process control, it did not fully anticipate and avoid the potential risks that could arise from incomplete information release. China AEI expresses its apologies for this. As a third-party testing institution, China AEI will further improve its testing management mechanisms, adhere to the principles of science, objectivity, and neutrality, and earnestly fulfill its core responsibility of maintaining industry credibility, while voluntarily accepting industry supervision.

Dongfeng Liuzhou stated that, as an important commercial and passenger vehicle business unit under Dongfeng Automobile, Dongfeng Liuzhou always adheres to the corporate spirit of ‘self-reliance, striving for excellence, unity, and serving the country and people,’ and upholds the quality policy of ‘high quality + reliability.’ It will continue to innovate and strengthen core technologies, consistently focusing on making high-quality products and providing diligent services, to create value for customers with better transportation solutions, and solidly promote high-quality development. We firmly resist unfair competition, adhere to the bottom line of legal and compliant operations, and uphold the principle of being fact-based, contributing to the historic leap from a major automobile country to a strong automobile nation.

In addition, the three parties jointly called for: strictly adhering to self-discipline and fostering a positive competitive and cooperative environment. They urged the automotive Industry to strictly self-regulate, and in the research and development, testing, and promotion of products, to adhere to the principles of honesty and business ethics, and to avoid any form of improper competitive behavior such as disparaging comparisons. Testing and certification institutions should adhere to professional standards, ensuring that test procedures are scientific and rigorous, and that information releases are true, accurate, and complete, to jointly maintain a fair and orderly market.

Focus on core technological innovation and return to the essence of the product. They called on the entire industry to focus more resources and efforts on improving vehicle safety performance, achieving breakthroughs in core technology innovation, and optimizing the real user experience, to drive industrial upgrading through technological progress and product strength, and to collectively enhance the overall image and core competitiveness of China’s automotive industry.