Summary of the Key Points
This news report exposes the chaos of the “public testing era” in China’s automotive industry over the past few years: Some car manufacturers, in order to capture the market and reduce costs, have released software and hardware products that have not been fully tested to consumers, using them as “guinea pigs” to identify issues before fixing them through OTA (Over-The-Air) updates or product recalls. This approach has led to a surge in quality problems and a significant increase in recalls, harming consumer rights. Fortunately, starting from 2026, the state has introduced a series of mandatory standards (to be implemented in 2027) that will bring an end to this “public testing era.” However, consumers should be wary of the “rush-to-market” cars produced by manufacturers to clear their inventory before the new regulations take effect. Here are four recommendations for purchasing vehicles.
The “Public Testing Era”: Car Manufacturers Using Consumers as Free Testers
The so-called “public testing era” refers to a period when car manufacturers cut back on research and development (R&D) and testing processes, selling semi-finished cars to consumers. The R&D cycle was reduced from 36 months to 18 months, winter and summer tests were combined into one, and software validation was shortened from four months to two weeks. When new car hardware had issues, they were fixed using OTA updates. In some cases, manufacturers even had to choose between design validation and product validation. The result was a multitude of problems: smart car doors would automatically open when closed, and braking software flaws could lead to accidents. Consumers were paying hundreds of thousands of yuan for cars that were not fully tested—more like “tickets” to participate in the testing process. A former R&D engineer from a leading car company admitted, “Cutting back on tests was an open secret to meet market deadlines. We once released software with braking defects, and after a significant increase in accidents, I resigned taking responsibility.”
Consequences of the Chaos: Quality Decline and Consumers as Victims
The root cause of this behavior is the low profit margins in the industry: In the first half of 2026, the overall profit margin for car manufacturers was only 1.5% (a net profit of 3,000 yuan from selling 200,000 cars). To compete in the market, they had to cut costs, with immediate consequences:
- A Surge in Recalls: 1.65 million vehicles were recalled in the first half of 2026, a 681% increase compared to 2025.
- Specific Examples: GAC Aion cars had battery swelling and leakage issues, leaving car-hailing owners unable to use their vehicles and still having to pay their loans; Chery Fengyun A9L models experienced paint bubbling and rusting, ranking first on the complaint list.
- Systematic Defects: These problems were not isolated incidents but inevitable outcomes of the manufacturers’ “rush-to-market” approach, with consumers bearing the brunt.
Strong Regulatory Measures to End the Chaos
Starting in 2027, the state will implement three mandatory standards that target the core issues:
1. Reducing the Overpromise of L2 Autonomous Driving: Manufacturers will no longer be allowed to claim their systems are “L2.5” or “autonomous.” They must monitor the driver’s presence continuously (with alerts if hands leave the steering wheel for 5 seconds and warnings after 10 seconds) and detect stationary obstacles 120 meters away at speeds of 80 km/h. This will put an end to the double-standard practice of calling systems “autonomous” while still referring to them as “assisted.”
2. Manufacturers Responsible for L3 Autonomous Driving Accidents: In the event of an accident during L3 mode, the car manufacturer will be held fully responsible and must ensure the vehicle’s safety throughout its entire lifecycle (not just at the time of sale).
3. Battery Safety: The strictest battery safety regulations in history require that batteries are absolutely safe, addressing safety vulnerabilities in new energy vehicles.
Recommendations for Consumers
The new regulations will not take effect until 2027, but car manufacturers may try to clear their inventory in the second half of 2026 by selling substandard vehicles. Consumers should be cautious:
- Before Buying: Check recall records (available on the State Administration for Market Regulation website) and complaints (such as those on the China Quality Network). Do not believe claims of “autonomous driving” capabilities (currently, most cars only offer L2 level automation at best).
- While Using the Vehicle: Do not rely too heavily on autonomous features. Always use a dashcam, and demand that the car manufacturer provide EDR (Event Data Recorder) data in case of an accident.
- When Seeking Compensation: According to the Product Quality Law, car manufacturers must prove that their products are defect-free, providing technical certification reports as evidence.
- Be wary of Discounted Cars: Lower prices may be a sign of substandard vehicles; avoid becoming part of the last batch of “guinea pigs.”
Conclusion
The “public testing era” is coming to an end, and consumers no longer have to bear the costs of manufacturers’ mistakes. However, before the new regulations are fully in place, it is crucial to remain vigilant. Safety should be the top priority when purchasing a car. Do not let small savings lead to significant losses.
(The entire text is written in plain language, avoiding technical jargon, making it easy for laypeople to understand the industry’s issues and the necessary steps to address them.)