- The campaign will target illegal profiteering, exaggerated and false advertising, and malicious defamation targeting the automotive sector.
- The joint statement calls on automakers and online platforms to conduct self-inspections and rectify violations.
Chinese authorities have launched a three-month campaign to address online malpractice targeting the automotive industry.
A joint statement released today by six departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, indicates the campaign will target illegal profiteering, exaggerated and false advertising, and malicious defamation.
The initiative aims to urge companies to regulate marketing practices, foster a healthy public sentiment environment, and safeguard the high-quality development of the automotive sector, according to the statement.
Creating fake images or videos, fabricating stories, hyping and spreading negative narratives about automakers, maliciously interpreting fluctuations in automakers’ sales figures, and attacking automakers’ business development strategies are all considered illegal profiteering.
Coercing companies into business cooperation by threatening to publish negative reviews or information, and using technologies like AI to generate false content for profit, are also deemed illegal profiteering.
Automakers must refrain from false or misleading marketing regarding vehicle or battery performance, functionality, quality, or sales status. They are also prohibited from selectively disclosing sales data or publishing sales rankings.
Defaming or attacking automotive companies or products, tarnishing corporate or product reputations, and filing malicious complaints against companies are deemed malicious attacks.
The joint statement requires automakers and online platforms to conduct self-inspections and rectify violations.
Industry associations are mandated to guide the automotive sector in strengthening self-regulation.
Over recent years, as China’s electric vehicle (EV) industry rapidly expanded and media ecosystems transformed, voices on social media platforms have significantly influenced automakers’ development.
To address these challenges, companies including Nio Inc (NYSE: NIO), Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV), and Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI) have established social media accounts for their legal departments, sharing cases of rights protection to navigate increasingly complex online environments.
In June, Nio founder, chairman, and CEO William Li said that about RMB 30 million ($4.2 million) to RMB 50 million had been spent monthly to fund online trolls attacking the company, though the specific sponsors remain unknown.
($1 = RMB 7.1222)
