Chinese EV Crash Test Launches Truck into the Air, Leaving a Brand on the Defensive | Carscoops

      A viral crash video from Li Auto's electric vehicle (EV) testing has sparked controversy and raised doubts about its real-world reliability.

      This week, Li Auto's SUV crash test video faced backlash from Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor. The electric SUV was shown in a dramatic video colliding head-on with an 8-ton truck. Dongfeng Liuzhou accused Li Auto of using misleading tactics and questioned the authenticity of the video.

      As electric vehicles gain popularity globally, Chinese automakers are striving to differentiate themselves—not only through design and technology—but also by demonstrating their safety features in striking ways.

      A recent instance of this was Li Auto's unveiling of the i8, a three-row electric SUV boasting impressive specifications. However, it was a video of the i8 crashing into a heavy truck that garnered the most attention during its launch.

      The footage depicted a direct crash between the Li Auto SUV and a Chenglong truck. The electric SUV, weighing between 2,580 and 2,610 kg (5,690–5,750 lbs), collided with the truck at a speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), while the truck, significantly heavier at 8 tons (16,000 lbs), was moving at 40 km/h (25 mph) when they collided.

      A Closer Inspection of the Collision

      Despite the substantial difference in weight and size, the i8's structural integrity appeared to perform well. The short front overhang absorbed much of the collision force, and the pillars showed no apparent deformation. Following the crash, the doors automatically unlocked and the handles extended outward, enabling testers to access the interior with ease.

      Additionally, all nine airbags deployed, and the emergency call system was activated. Notably, the battery pack mounted on the floor did not ignite or emit smoke, even after being scratched by a metal pole prior to the collision.

      Truck Frame Reaction Leads to Concerns

      What surprised many viewers was the reaction of the much larger truck. The collision caused its cabin to tilt forward dramatically, almost separating from the chassis, with all wheels lifting off the ground momentarily. This unexpected result led Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, the parent company of the Chenglong brand, to respond quickly. On August 1, the company released a statement expressing concern regarding the test.

      According to a report by QQ News, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor accused Li Auto of “serious infringement.” They questioned the video’s authenticity, asserting it created a misleading impression that didn’t accurately reflect real-world driving situations. Their internal analysis suggested that the test conditions deviated significantly from typical road scenarios.

      Li Auto's Defense

      In response, Li Auto issued an official post on Weibo on August 3, stating that the crash test was conducted by the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI), a third-party state-owned organization.

      Li Auto emphasized that the video “was not meant to assess the product quality of any other brand, and the test results should not be seen as indicative of other brands’ product quality.” They clarified that the truck used in the test was sourced from the secondhand market solely to serve as a “mobile barrier.” The company stated, “It was not our intention for the testing process to embroil the Dongfeng Chenglong brand in public conflict.”

      An independent confirmation followed from the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute, which affirmed Li Auto’s assertions in a separate statement. They characterized the crash test as a “non-standard vehicle-to-vehicle collision test” that simulated a traffic accident and noted that it “does not evaluate the safety performance of other vehicle brands.”

      The institute further clarified that the truck was selected based solely on its curb weight and that no performance alterations were made, other than repainting it and adding autonomous driving equipment to meet the 8-ton target weight.

      Do you believe Li Auto’s crash test was a genuine demonstration of EV resilience or a carefully orchestrated stunt targeting a competitor? Share your thoughts in the comments below.