RMB 2.01 million in damages awarded: BYD wins lawsuit against a top auto influencer—time for “black PR” to rein it in.

BYD Wins Lawsuit Against Auto Blogger: Court Orders ¥2.01 Million Compensation

On January 22, BYD’s legal department announced that it has received the first-instance court verdict in its lawsuit against automotive blogger Yao Mouqiang (Douyin account “Daqin Jun Shaanxi Group”).

The court ruled that the defendant fabricated and spread false information about Fangchengbao vehicles, causing damage to BYD’s and Fangchengbao’s commercial reputation and product image. The behavior constituted commercial defamation, and the defendant was ordered to compensate BYD 2.01 million yuan. BYD emphasized that while it welcomes public supervision, the internet is not beyond the reach of the law.

The dispute dates back to 2023, when the blogger posted a test video claiming that the Fangchengbao Bao 5 had a highway fuel consumption of up to 18 liters per 100 kilometers—far higher than the official figure. The video quickly sparked controversy, with many viewers questioning the testing conditions and the credibility of the results.

As the debate escalated, BYD filed a lawsuit in 2024, demanding the removal of the content, a public apology, and compensation. Although the final compensation amount was lower than some had expected, the ruling sends a clear message: legitimate criticism is protected, but spreading unverified or false claims comes with legal consequences.

From an industry perspective, the case also serves as a warning to automotive content creators. Reviews and criticism are not the issue—what matters is transparency around testing conditions, driving scenarios, and data sources. Once a dispute enters the legal arena, the ability to prove accuracy becomes crucial.

As competition in the new energy vehicle market intensifies, discussions around performance data are becoming more heated. Drawing a clear line between fair evaluation and defamation is now a challenge shared by automakers, platforms, and creators alike.

In short: chasing traffic is understandable, but crossing the line isn’t—facts matter more than opinions.