Avatr Technology, the electric vehicle (EV) unit of Changan Automobile, has taken legal action against an automotive blogger for spreading misinformation regarding the drag coefficient of the Avatr 12 sedan. The blogger, known as @苏黎世贝勒爷, claimed in a video that the wind resistance of the Avatr 12 was much higher than what the company marketed.
In response, Avatr’s legal department filed a lawsuit against the blogger, demanding that he cease his infringing behavior and pay compensation of RMB 10 million ($1.4 million) for economic and goodwill damages. This legal action represents one of the largest claims made by a Chinese automaker against a blogger.
The blogger’s video, which compared the wind resistance of the Avatr 12 to that of a fuel car from 20 years ago, sparked controversy within the EV community. Avatr refuted the claims, stating that the information was inaccurate. The situation escalated when the video was shared on the X platform owned by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla.
To address the allegations, Avatr conducted a live wind tunnel test of the Avatr 12, revealing a drag coefficient ranging from 0.2325 to 0.2972 at wind speeds of 120 kilometers per hour. The company invited Elon Musk to witness the test, emphasizing the accuracy of their results.
Following the test, Avatr requested the blogger to retract his false statements and issue a public apology. In response, the blogger posted an apology video but continued to misrepresent the test results by referring to the production car as a prototype. This further damaged Avatr’s brand image and misled the public about the company’s products.
In light of these developments, Avatr remains committed to upholding the integrity of its brand and products. The lawsuit against the blogger underscores the company’s dedication to combating misinformation and protecting its reputation in the EV industry.
