Electric Car Tested in Head-on Collision with a Truck, Learn the Facts

KatadataOTO – Electric car manufacturers from China always capture public attention. It's not just about the price of the products offered to consumers.

But also how they prove the quality of the Electric Vehicles (EVs) they are about to market. As Li Auto did some time ago.

When launching the i8 electric car, they released a video showing a crash test of their new product.

The i8 was seen being pitted against a large truck. Both vehicles were driven at a fairly high speed.

Photo : Li Auto

“The i8 reportedly did not experience deformation in its main structure. Including the A, B, and C pillars,” wrote a Carnewschina report, Wednesday (06/08).

In addition, all nine airbags inside deployed perfectly. Then, no battery leakage or fire was found.

Then all the doors opened automatically. Allowing the occupants inside to get out.

On the other hand, the truck, known to be a vehicle from Dongfeng Liuzhou Motors, looked crumpled and suffered quite severe damage.

It's no wonder the crash test video drew many reactions. Including from the truck manufacturer itself.

According to them, the situation during the crash test was misleading. Because it does not depict a real-world traffic scenario.

“The company emphasizes the importance of rational accident analysis,” the Carnewschina report continued.

They also considered Li Auto to have committed a violation. Releasing the video without permission could damage fair competition and raise concerns about consumer manipulation.

Li Auto Provides Clarification

Hearing the complaint from Dongfeng Liuzhou Motors, Li Auto immediately issued a statement regarding the i8 crash test.

The Chinese manufacturer stated that the i8 test was conducted by the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co., LTD. A state-owned testing institution.

Li Auto also revealed that the test aimed to assess the i8's ability to withstand a collision with a large vehicle like a truck. A scenario that is increasingly relevant on Chinese highways.

Photo : Li Auto

“They emphasized that the purpose of this test was not to evaluate the truck's safety performance. The company acknowledged the unexpected reaction from netizens and expressed its regret,” they continued.

Finally, Li Auto emphasized that they and Dongfeng Liuzhou Motors target different segments. So there is no direct competition.

Nevertheless, the public has already judged the quality of Dongfeng Liuzhou Motors' trucks as questionable due to the damage sustained in the head-on collision with the i8.