CNBC AI News, August 20th – Li Xiang, CEO of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto, recently sat down for an interview with entrepreneur and influencer Luo Yonghao, sparking considerable buzz online.
During the conversation, Luo Yonghao addressed the online negativity surrounding Li Auto, particularly the wave of criticism targeting the MEGA model. Luo expressed astonishment, stating he was previously unaware that car companies could become targets of such attacks fueled by the “coffin car” narrative which gained traction and overshadowed industry trends. He characterized the level of smear campaigns as being significantly more intense than anything he witnessed in the smartphone industry.
Luo further elaborated that, after comparing various EV brands, he believed Li Auto was unfairly subjected to disproportionate levels of online disparagement, suggesting the company’s products didn’t deserve such biased treatment.
Li Xiang responded by alleging that these attacks were orchestrated by a rival company. “There is a company behind the scenes manipulating these events. A competitor is pulling the strings,” he claimed, adding, “We’ve been targeted since the i8 days, including attacks on the image of our car owners.”
Luo Yonghao then directly inquired, “After being targeted so many times, don’t you feel any desire for revenge?”
Li Xiang acknowledged the situation, stating, “The only way to retaliate is to defeat them in the business arena. But ultimately, I believe our products and strategies weren’t good enough. We need to reach a point where they can’t find any weaknesses to exploit.”
Regarding the “coffin car” label applied to the MEGA after its launch, Li Xiang revealed that the design team was deeply affected, with many advising an immediate design overhaul.
“Moreover, it coincided with a specific moment in time, involving Zong Qinghou (founder of Wahaha) and us. During that period, we were propelled by online traffic and became part of a larger narrative,” he explained, hinting at external factors amplifying the negative perception.
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