EV Industry Legal and Reputational Issues
Coverage of legal disputes, defamation cases, and reputation management involving electric vehicle manufacturers and related online discourse.
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2026 National Two Sessions Spotlight Five Key Issues in New Energy Vehicles
China’s 2026 National Two Sessions highlighted critical NEV priorities: unified battery-swapping standards, L3 autonomous driving commercialization, and top-level regulatory reforms to overcome infrastructure and legal bottlenecks.
China's Supreme Court Clarifies Criminal Liability for Drunk Drivers Using Intelligent Driving Systems
China’s Supreme People’s Court has ruled that drivers who use intelligent driving assistance systems while intoxicated are still criminally liable for dangerous driving. The court stressed that technology cannot override the driver’s legal responsibility for road safety.
Auto Consumer Irregularities Not Explicitly Named on March 15
Despite no direct exposés at China's 2026 March 15 Gala, a growing number of defunct EV startups have left consumers without warranty or maintenance support. Complaints are surging nationwide, highlighting an urgent need for user-centric after-sales strategies in the electric vehicle sector.
Three Dongfeng Motor Executives Under Investigation
Three senior executives from Dongfeng Motor Group—two from procurement and one from logistics—are under investigation for serious disciplinary and legal violations, underscoring the company’s intensified anti-corruption focus across its EV supply chain.
Faraday Future Initiates Legal Action Against Illegal Short Selling
Faraday Future has launched legal proceedings against Hua Qixin and associates over alleged illegal short selling involving false information and market manipulation. The company is pursuing actions in both U.S. and Chinese jurisdictions while engaging regulators like the SEC.
Wei Jianjun Apologizes for WEY V9X Poster Plagiarism Incident Involving Land Rover
Great Wall Motor Chairman Wei Jianjun publicly apologized within 24 hours of a plagiarism controversy involving the WEY V9X promotional poster and Land Rover’s advertising concept. Land Rover responded with grace, turning a PR crisis into a moment of mutual respect and reinforcing the importance of originality in automotive marketing.
Nexperia China Operations Disconnected by Headquarters Amid Governance Dispute
Nexperia B.V. disabled all China-region employee accounts on March 3, halting key production systems at its Dongguan facility—which supplies 32% of the global automotive-qualified QFN packaging market. The move escalates an ongoing control dispute between Dutch stakeholders and Chinese parent company Wingtech Technology, following national security-related asset freezes since October 2025.
Zeng Yang Joins Xiaomi as Deputy General Manager of Public Relations
Zeng Yang, former Vice President of Starry Meizu, has joined Xiaomi as Deputy General Manager of Public Relations and Head of Media Relations. His extensive background in media, platform strategy, and corporate communications is expected to enhance Xiaomi’s brand messaging as it expands into the competitive EV market.
Lynk & Co Z20 Headlights Accidentally Turned Off by Voice Command Leads to Crash; Official Apology and OTA Fix Issued
A Lynk & Co Z20 crashed after its headlights were mistakenly turned off via voice command. The automaker has issued an apology and deployed an OTA update disabling voice control for headlights while driving, prioritizing safety over smart features.
Ford Recalls 4.3 Million Vehicles Due to Software Glitch Affecting Trailer Module
Ford is recalling approximately 4.3 million vehicles—including F-150, Explorer, and E-Transit models—due to a software defect in the integrated trailer module that may disable brake lights, turn signals, or even braking function. The fix will be delivered via over-the-air update or dealer service starting March 2026.
Chengdu Accident Investigation Results for Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Released
A fatal crash involving the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra in Chengdu was caused by drunk driving and extreme overspeed (over 200 km/h). The impact triggered a low-voltage power failure that disabled electronically controlled doors, preventing rescue and leading to death by fire. The incident highlights critical safety gaps in EV door redundancy systems.
Eight Departments Issue New Rules on Automotive Data Cross-Border Transfer
China’s eight key departments have jointly released the 'Guidelines for the Security of Automotive Data Cross-Border Transfer (2026 Edition)', introducing a three-tier management framework, nine exemption scenarios, and refined criteria for identifying critical data. The move aims to balance high-quality EV industry growth with robust data security compliance.