Avatr’s authorized division has issued a proper lawyer’s letter to the automotive blogger “Zurich Bei Le Ye” (苏黎世贝勒爷) demanding the speedy deletion of all false statements relating to the Avatr 12’s drag coefficient check outcomes and a public apology. Failure to conform might lead to authorized penalties.
The authorized discover requires the influencer to take away all associated articles and movies revealed between Could 2 and Could 10, 2025, throughout all platforms—together with Weibo, Xiaohongshu (Little Crimson Guide), Bilibili, and Douyin (China’s model of Tiktok)—that questioned the aerodynamic efficiency of the Avatr 12. Moreover, the influencer should problem a honest apology and maintain the apology assertion pinned on the prime of their social media accounts for 30 consecutive days to mitigate the reputational injury induced to Avatr.
Dispute over Avatr 12’s drag coefficient
The controversy started on Could 2 when “Zurich Bei Le Ye” launched a video claiming that his real-world check of the Avatr 12 yielded a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.28, considerably increased than the official determine of 0.21—a 33% discrepancy. The video sparked widespread debate, even drawing consideration from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who shared the contentious clip on X (previously Twitter).
In response, Avatr carried out a live-streamed wind tunnel check on Could 9 on the China Automotive Engineering Analysis Institute (CAERI) to validate its claims. The check, carried out below six totally different circumstances with third-party certification and notarial supervision, demonstrated the next outcomes:
- Low-drag configuration (160 km/h): Cd 0.2172
- Customary configuration (120 km/h): Cd 0.2175
- Sport wheel configuration (120 km/h): Cd 0.2327
- Modified setup (mirrors & air suspension adjusted): Cd 0.2509
- Energetic grille open: Cd 0.2741
These outcomes confirmed that Avatr 12’s drag coefficient intently aligns with its marketed 0.21 Cd below optimum circumstances.
Avatr’s authorized stand towards misinformation
Regardless of the clear reside check, the influencer continued to publish content material implying that Avatr manipulated check outcomes, even referencing the film Kung Fu Hustle to insinuate collusion with CAERI and media retailers. Avatr argues that these claims lack a factual foundation and represent deliberate model defamation, deceptive the general public and damaging its industrial fame.
The automaker has emphasised that its check was carried out below strict skilled oversight, with outcomes verified by authoritative establishments and publicly broadcast. Avatr maintains that the influencer’s accusations exceed affordable criticism and have induced important hurt to the model’s picture.
“Zurich Bei Le Ye” has not publicly responded to the authorized discover.
Broader implications
The dispute coincides with the launch of the 2025 Avatr 12, which debuted on Could 7 with six variants (together with extended-range and pure electrical fashions) priced between 269,900 and 429,900 yuan (37,300 to 59,400 USD). Avatr’s aggressive authorized stance displays its dedication to combating misinformation, having beforehand raised its bounty for exposing “black PR” campaigns to 5 million yuan (690,865 USD).
Supply: IT-House
