On November 20, BYD’s legal department announced that the high-profile lawsuit against the social media account “Wang Wukong Talks Cars” has reached its final ruling.
According to the court’s judgment, the account and its affiliated channels posted content that maliciously defamed BYD’s Fangchengbao brand, damaging the company’s commercial reputation. The court determined the statements constituted an infringement of BYD’s right to reputation. The defendant is ordered to issue a public apology and pay 313,800 RMB in compensation.
BYD emphasized that while the company welcomes public criticism and supervision, the internet is not beyond the reach of law. Any defamatory or rumor-spreading behavior will be pursued through legal channels.
“Wang Wukong Talks Cars” has a history of problematic behavior. The account repeatedly spread false claims about new energy vehicles and smeared automakers. It was previously named and criticized by the Cyberspace Administration of China, and has since been shut down according to regulations.
This ruling sends a strong message amid the growing trend of “black PR” within the automotive industry. The court’s decision establishes an authoritative legal benchmark for handling similar disputes.
This case is not isolated. In September, the self-media account “Longzhu – Collection Cars” was sued by BYD for spreading大量false information. The court ordered 2.0187 million RMB in compensation, and the appeal was dismissed. The payment has now been fully enforced.
Earlier in April, another user, “Grape Ice,” was detained by police for fabricating rumors of a BYD charging explosion.
Faced with repeated attacks, BYD has taken a firm stance. The company’s PR chief Li Yunfei stated: “We welcome constructive criticism, but we will never tolerate black PR. We will pursue it to the end.”
To further combat online smear campaigns, BYD also launched a long-term reward program: valid whistleblower tips may be rewarded 50,000 to 5,000,000 RMB.
As China’s auto industry advances toward electrification and intelligent transformation, a fair and orderly public environment is essential. BYD’s victory not only offers a landmark reference for corporate rights protection, but also sets clear legal boundaries for content creators.
From “Wang Wukong Talks Cars” to “Longzhu – Collection Cars” and “Grape Ice,” these cases are gradually forming a strong legal shield against online defamation. This is not just BYD’s win, but a significant step toward healthier industry norms.
What’s your take on the ruling?
