Chinese authorities have launched a three-month campaign to tackle online malpractice affecting the automotive industry, targeting illegal profiteering, exaggerated advertising, and malicious defamation, according to a joint statement released by six government departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The initiative aims to encourage companies to regulate marketing practices, maintain healthy public sentiment, and support high-quality industry development. Activities considered illegal include creating fake media, fabricating stories, hyping or spreading negative narratives about automakers, and misrepresenting sales figures. The use of technologies such as AI to generate false content for profit and coercing businesses through threats of negative publicity are also prohibited.
Automakers are instructed to avoid false or misleading marketing claims regarding vehicle performance, battery capabilities, quality, or sales status. Malicious attacks on companies, products, or reputations are explicitly barred. Online platforms and automakers are required to conduct self-inspections and correct violations, while industry associations are tasked with guiding sector-wide self-regulation.
The campaign comes amid growing social media influence on China’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) market. Companies including Nio Inc, Xpeng, and Li Auto have established social media accounts for legal departments to share rights protection cases. In June, Nio founder William Li said the company faced monthly expenditures of RMB 30 million to 50 million ($4.2 million to $7 million) on online trolling campaigns, although the sponsors were unknown.