On May 2nd, blogger “Shanghai Beilord” released a video claiming that the new energy vehicle Avita 12 (an intelligent car brand jointly created by Huawei, Changan Automobile, and CATL) falsified its drag coefficient. The actual drag coefficient measured during testing was found to be on the same level as traditional fuel cars from 20 years ago, sparking a public dispute between the manufacturer Changan Automobile and the blogger.
According to a report from a professional automotive website, it is common in the industry for automakers to have different standards for pre-production vehicles used for testing and mass-produced vehicles. This discrepancy has led to disputes in indicators such as driving range and battery degradation.
Media outlets such as IT Home and Jiemian News reported that a domestically produced new energy vehicle in the 300,000 RMB range, the Avita 12, tested in the Tianjin Zhongqi Research Wind Tunnel Laboratory, had a measured drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.28Cd, significantly higher than the claimed 0.21Cd and comparable to traditional fuel cars like the Passat B5 from 20 years ago.
The video has been deleted from major platforms like Weibo and Douyin, but the blogger uploaded it on Bilibili on May 5th, and as of the time of writing, the video is still accessible.
In the video, the blogger mentioned that the claim of a “0.21 drag coefficient” has been removed from Avita’s official promotional materials, although it can still be found on the Georgian-language official website, along with screenshots.
The drag coefficient Cd is a standard used to measure the air resistance affecting a vehicle. Generally, the more streamlined a car is, the lower its drag coefficient. According to recent reports from Pacific Auto Net, scientific research shows that with all other conditions being equal, a 10% reduction in drag coefficient can lead to approximately a 7% reduction in fuel consumption.
Currently, wind tunnel testing for drag coefficient in China is only available in Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. While there may be slight variations (approximately 0.001Cd) due to differences in testing conditions, the significant difference of 0.07Cd as shown in the video is uncommon.
Auto media outlet Dongchedi pointed out that the drag coefficient is a crucial indicator for electric vehicle range, with a 0.01 difference potentially affecting tens of kilometers of driving range. This incident has exposed longstanding contradictions in the new energy vehicle industry, where automakers often use “record-breaking” parameters as marketing points.
The blogger “Shanghai Beilord” raised four questions: Where is the test report for the 0.21 drag coefficient? Why was the wind tunnel test conducted only now? Is the live broadcast of the test actually a mass-produced vehicle? Why were all online promotions of the 0.21 drag coefficient deleted after our test? Answering these questions would provide clarity to all those concerned about the truth behind the drag coefficient.
Netizen “Ash-gray American Shorthair” commented that a drag coefficient of 0.21 for this car is undoubtedly a fabrication, possibly significantly altered. A standard response for regular car companies facing such scrutiny would be to present past test videos to refute claims or even invite live demonstrations, but the response taken, deleting all online promotional materials, raises suspicions.
Netizen “Old Mountain Old Driver” humorously outlined the public relations tactics used, humorously named the “Huawei Three-Piece Suit”: Step 1 – manipulate the wind tunnel, Step 2 – take down the video, Step 3 – vilify the blogger.
Netizen “Pushcart Driver Xiao Hai SVM” listed a “standard four-piece set”: deleting promotional materials, silencing the blogger, spreading executive rumors, and intimidating with legal threats.
Netizen “Diva-lu” expressed trust in Mercedes-Benz having a line they wouldn’t cross, contrasting with the perceived lack of ethical boundaries in the domestic industry.
Netizen “PassingBy_TT” criticized the contradictory actions of deleting their promotions while discrediting the blogger, highlighting the lack of evidence presented by the company.
The blogger explained that the wind tunnel testing was conducted at the Wind Tunnel Center of China Automotive Technology Research Center (CATARC) in Tianjin, following the CSAE146-2020 standard set by the China Automotive Engineering Society Aerodynamics Committee. The rigorous and professional testing process was managed by specialized technicians from start to finish, exceeding expectations. The blogger also shared the motivation behind initiating the wind tunnel test.
He mentioned that aerodynamics research is one of the most expensive and technically demanding aspects of vehicle development. Seeing vehicles in the 100,000 RMB range with drag coefficients below 0.2 contradicted expectations since it’s unusual for resources to be heavily invested in aerodynamics research for such vehicles.
In response to the allegations, Avita Technology’s Legal Department stated on May 3rd that the information was entirely false, and the technical parameters of Avita’s products are officially published. The company’s official Weibo account released an “invitation” on the same day, announcing a public test of the Avita 12’s drag coefficient. However, the blogger expressed a desire to witness the test firsthand but claims that their response was blocked.
The article from Dongchedi pointed out that while Avita’s promised “national laboratory testing” carries authority, the blogger questioned the possibility of using specially optimized vehicles rather than standard mass-produced ones. Within the industry, it is not uncommon for automakers to adjust tires, aerodynamics, or remove components in test vehicles to achieve optimal parameters.
The blogger’s proposal for “on-site measurements of production vehicles” directly addresses consumer concerns: can laboratory data accurately represent the performance of actual delivered vehicles? This issue has previously led to disputes regarding driving range and battery degradation indicators.
On May 1st, Avita Technology announced that its April sales reached 11,681 vehicles, a 122.6% year-on-year increase. Avita will be one of the first brands to feature the Huawei Gankun ADS4, with the Avita 06 set to be the first in the third quarter. The upgrade plans for Avita 11, Avita 12, and Avita 07 are expected to be completed in the third quarter.