Li Yunfei: BYD is the Biggest Victim of Malicious PR and Paid Trolls

On January 22, BYD’s legal department announced it had received a first-instance court verdict in its lawsuit against auto blogger Yao Mouqiang. The court ruled that the defendant had fabricated and spread false information about Fangchengbao vehicles, damaging the commercial reputation of both BYD and the brand. The conduct constituted commercial disparagement, and the defendant was ordered to pay 2.01 million yuan in damages.

Image source: Weibo screenshot

The legal department emphasized that while BYD respects and welcomes public oversight, the internet is not outside the law. The company vowed to use legal means to counter any form of infringement, including insults, rumor-mongering, or smear campaigns. It also thanked the public for its continued support.

Li Yunfei, general manager of BYD’s brand and public relations division, quickly reposted the announcement. «We have consistently been the biggest victims of malicious PR and paid trolls,» he wrote. While accepting media criticism and oversight, he added, the company has «zero tolerance» for black PR and unethical media that fabricate false information or launch malicious attacks. «We will pursue them to the very end.»

Li reiterated that there would be «zero tolerance» for malicious PR and unethical media, vowing to pursue every case without exception. He also invited the public to submit leads, offering a reward of up to 5 million yuan for information—a policy that remains in effect indefinitely.

Speaking earlier at the 2025 China Auto Chongqing Forum, Li argued that while technology demands innovation, marketing must remain principled. He outlined several guidelines: be accountable to consumers by avoiding hyperbole; base claims on actual mass production rather than over-promising; compete on technology and product merit rather than subtle digs or smear tactics; and maintain a clean online environment by cracking down on malicious PR campaigns.

At the time, Li also referenced remarks by NIO CEO William Li about facing smear campaigns. «The attacks and smears we endure are many times what NIO faces,» Li said, expressing hope that authorities would step in to clean up the industry.