ZhiJie Responds to Controversy Over 'Former Ferrari Chief Designer' Claim

[Personnel Controversy] ZhiJie executives have responded for the first time to质疑 regarding the claimed identity of a 'former chief designer of Ferrari.'

Core Development: The So-Called 'Former Chief' Is a Misrepresentation; Designer's Identity in Doubt

On June 4, Zhao Changjiang, Executive Vice President of ZhiJie, stated that the brand had onboarded a 'former chief designer of Ferrari' along with chassis teams from BMW and Aston Martin, drawing public attention. However, netizens pointed out that Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari’s current Global Chief Design Officer, has held the position since 2010 and has not left the company—meaning there is no such thing as a 'former chief designer.'

Key Facts: Alleged Designer's Actual Role and Background Do Not Match Claims

The speculated individual, Juanma Lopez, was merely Ferrari’s former Exterior Design Director. He left Ferrari in 2018 to join BYD and, as of 2024, has already joined XPeng Motors. XPeng has explicitly denied rumors of his involvement with ZhiJie.

Strategic Context: Premium Branding Narrative Faces Professional Scrutiny

ZhiJie attempted to elevate its brand positioning by leveraging supercar design credentials, but vague information triggered a credibility crisis. On July 3, Zhao Changjiang only said they would 'announce the real candidate another day,' still failing to clarify the individual’s actual identity.