BYD Defamation Case Leads to Landmark Ruling

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has secured a significant legal victory in a defamation case against a prominent online influencer known as “Long Ge Talks EVs.” The company accused a group of 37 influencers of spreading false and misleading information that damaged BYD’s reputation and disrupted the automotive market. In the recent ruling, Long Ge was ordered to pay a substantial penalty of 2 million yuan (approximately £230,000) and issue a public apology, admitting that his previous criticisms of BYD’s battery, motor, and electric-control systems were improper and harmful to the brand. The case highlights the stringent approach to libel laws in China, where companies actively pursue legal action against what they consider defamatory content. BYD characterised the online attacks as coordinated efforts to undermine its business, although it remains unclear whether these were genuinely organised campaigns or simply a wave of repeated claims among influencers. Long Ge’s history of critical commentary extends beyond BYD, as he is also facing lawsuits from other EV brands such as Seres and Aito, suggesting a pattern of contentious engagement with the industry. BYD’s public relations representative, Li Yunfei, emphasised that while the company welcomes objective criticism and factual reporting, it will continue to take legal measures against fabricated or defamatory statements. This stance underlines the company’s commitment to protecting its brand integrity and deterring misinformation. The ruling serves as a cautionary tale for commentators in China, signalling that unsubstantiated negative claims about EV technology and performance can lead to severe legal consequences. The outcome also raises broader questions about the balance between freedom of speech and corporate reputation management in different jurisdictions. While such a case might struggle to gain traction in countries with more permissive defamation laws, like the United States, it reflects the Chinese legal environment’s prioritisation of protecting businesses from reputational harm. For influencers and critics in the electric vehicle sector, the verdict underscores the importance of ensuring accuracy and evidence when making public claims about manufacturers and their products.