From knock-off old-man's electric vehicles to industrial giant

Chapter 124 You're so great, so arrogant... (7000-word long chapter)
"Looks like someone's jealous of us."

Xu Yi gave his conclusion immediately.

This sudden surge in popularity has generated considerable discussion on several platforms, somewhat resembling an internet saturation attack strategy.

They can't compete in terms of product strength or price-cutting marketing.

That leaves only personal attacks.

Clearly, someone is in a hurry.

Just right.

Yu Nian also came to the office.

He had just finished watching the video and found it very abstract:

"Mr. Xu, the online comments are really bad. Our cars are not that bad. Saying that the A-pillar breaks in one hit and that it's like going to the crematorium if it crashes? The public opinion is being directed at us in a way that is unacceptable."

Controlling costs is one thing.

However, their internal car manufacturing standards have always been higher than those of cars in the same class.

For example, the A-pillar and the anti-collision beam, two key locations, have been designed with high-strength steel, and the driver's side is also equipped with an airbag.

In addition, there is a reasonable safety structure design.

It's unrealistic to compare it to a large car costing two or three hundred thousand yuan.

However, it performs well in most collision scenarios at speeds of 30-65 mph.

"No rush, contact my top-notch legal team first."

Xu Yi raised his hand.

Actually, the online buzz isn't really that widespread right now; it's just that some people are deliberately trying to get attention, which makes it seem like it's generating a lot of buzz.

But he's not the kind of person who lets things fester online.

Many car companies initially didn't take car reviewers and social media influencers seriously, but in this era of rising online traffic...

It is precisely in the era of social media that automotive knowledge has been widely disseminated.

One talks about the chassis, another about the exterior, and some, being a bit more practical, are willing to discuss engine and transmission structures and automotive engineering—these are all considered "self-media gurus."

It is through these small bits of knowledge that ordinary people gradually gain a more comprehensive understanding of cars.

If these people use "eloquent words and flattering expressions" to post videos, the damage they cause to their target consumer group could be quite significant if it goes viral.

Besides.

There's also their own car owner community.

China is a society that values ​​both appearance and substance.

If your car is constantly being criticized, you'll feel ashamed when surfing the internet, lose face when going out, and quickly lose your sense of "recognition".

"Also, contact the engineering department and get the C-NCAP test report out as soon as possible."

Xu Yi continued.

The best way to deal with these questions and smears about "security" is not to engage in a fight.

Instead, they issue a test report.

As a new car safety evaluation system led by the China Automotive Technology Research Center, C-NCAP's authority in the industry is widely recognized.

It's not that the standards are too strict, but the vehicles that pass are generally those that meet or exceed the safety benchmark.

All newly launched vehicles can voluntarily apply for testing, and some automakers will proactively submit their vehicles for testing in order to enhance their brand image.

This report was released.

That was a direct slap in the face.

If any car reviewers dare to smear this issue, it's tantamount to questioning an authoritative institution.

……

Not a moment.

The Zhongkai Law Firm called back.

"Mr. Xu, we have reviewed the relevant materials you sent. Although this car reviewer is somewhat clever and used some persuasive language, he clearly doesn't understand the law..."

According to the relevant provisions of the Civil Code, whether it is Article 1024 (protection of reputation rights) or Article 1031 (protection of honor rights), such speculation without evidence, as well as fabricating the statement that the car body is made of thin materials and has low strength, all constitute fabrication of illegal facts without providing actual evidence.

Alternatively, a lawsuit can be filed under the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, citing damage to business reputation, since the car passed the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's review was entirely reasonable and compliant.

Just give us a little time to coordinate the relevant materials.

"This lawsuit depends on whether you, Mr. Xu, want to fight it, and to what extent you want to fight it."

...

Jin Kai smiled, speaking in a relaxed tone.

These are cases that, at first glance, seem to have a 100% chance of winning.

For their Kyoto law firm, this is considered a fairly ordinary level.

But if the client is very generous, then there's not much of a problem.

To say——

In the self-media industry, there are actually not many people who understand the law.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many people who ruin their own lives.

Often, things seem to be going very well, but that's just because they haven't crossed the line that shouldn't be crossed.

Once it hits, it disappears faster than vanishing into thin air.

...

Xu Yi asked curiously, "Attorney Jin, what do you mean by 'to what extent' you want to fight?"

Jin Kai: "That's right, we can take multiple measures to deal with the negative impact of online rumors."

For videos that clearly spread false information and incite unrest, all you need to do is collect official documentation and report them to the platform. The video will then be downgraded and removed from the platform, and the related popularity will naturally decrease. This is also the lowest-cost method.

The second option is to sue the person who spread the rumor and their team. If you win the case, you can demand that they delete the video, issue an apology in the public media, and compensate you for losses, legal fees, notary fees, etc.

However, this approach may also lead to situations where the compensation is insufficient to cover the costs of protecting one's rights.

The third approach is to sue not only the person and their team who spread the rumors, but also the relevant video platform. The platform will not bear any responsibility for the self-media creator. This is generally the fastest way to achieve results, but it is also the most costly.

……

As soon as these words came out.

Xu Yi immediately understood.

This means—

To put it bluntly, it's just that spreading rumors is cheap, while going to court is a thankless and troublesome affair.

Porsche previously adopted this attitude towards manufacturers of electric vehicles for the elderly.

For large companies, reputation is always fluctuating.

However, the company's main business is still making a profit. If they go through the trouble of fighting a lawsuit, the compensation will not even cover the costs.

Most people will still choose the lower-cost method.

It won't have a big impact. Just report it and reduce the video's popularity through other channels.

“Mr. Xu, if you want to resolve the impact, choosing either the first or second option is a very cost-effective and reasonable solution,” Jin Kai suggested.

He just finished speaking.

Xu Yi immediately followed up with his next sentence.

"It doesn't matter..."

"We must adopt indiscriminate legal deterrence!"

“Uh…” Jin Kai couldn’t help but be stunned.

"What I mean is, we must strike hard, regardless of compensation, let's just get it over with!"

Xu Yi said it casually.

The environment is evolving.

The conventional methods used in the past seem quite ordinary in the era of data-driven traffic.

If we don't take strong action against this kind of behavior to make an example of others, then anyone who comes along can chime in, trying to gain attention or making sarcastic remarks, which will have a subtle negative impact.

It may seem like a low-cost solution, but in reality, the cost is much higher.

The image of a "strongest legal department" is established from the beginning, which will save a lot of trouble later, especially when the operating models of traditional car companies and Internet companies are almost integrated a few years later.

That marketing scene—

Millions of online trolls were mobilized, and KOLs from various social media platforms took sides and started attacking each other, causing widespread damage!
A strong legal department means strong marketing!
Nuclear weapons may not be used, but they cannot be absent!

……

at the same time.

Inside a rented room.

Peng Gao stared at the video on the screen, completely stunned.

The kind of stunned silence.

The video's popularity and the various bullet comments, along with the content itself, were explosive.

"What the heck... what's going on here?"

"It's not like I've been categorized as a low-quality person just because I bought a new car!!"

...

Last time.

After the video went viral, he went to the Xingchen Auto Experience Store for a visit.

Unsurprisingly.

I was totally won over and bought my beloved little car.

I had the car wrapped and modified, and I also installed new wheels.

When I posted it in group chats and online, I was met with envious glances.

These mini cars are amazing.

Although the price is low, it won't make you lose face if you send it out.

It's also very cost-effective to drive.

even.

When he went out to park, he encountered some people his age who were taking pictures of his car and casting curious glances at him.

This kind of treatment wouldn't be given to a traditional car costing tens of thousands of yuan.

Peng Gao was actually quite pleased with himself.

Just very comfortable.

But today.

He was surfing the internet as usual when he saw several viral videos criticizing the Star Mini.

Owners of gasoline-powered cars have forcibly labeled their Star Mini owners with nicknames like "chopped chili fish head," "evil old man's car," and "mobile urn."

"That's outrageous!!"

"Isn't this blatant personal attack?!"

Peng Gao was furious, so he started spitting out dozens of comments in the comment section.

The result was completely futile.

This gave Peng Gao a headache. The online sentiment had completely changed. Although a few comments spoke up for him, they were quickly drowned out.

"No, we need to think of another way to fight back."

Peng Gao fell into deep thought.

He realized that the current online public opinion trend is still a clash between different "ideologies".

Owners of gasoline-powered cars are inherently opposed to owners of new energy vehicles.

Those who drive luxury cars naturally look down on ordinary brands and no-name cars.

The most outrageous thing is that some people who don't own a car, even students, fantasize about driving luxury cars and all sorts of awesome vehicles in the future, and then they start spouting all sorts of superiority and criticism.

Standing at the top of the social hierarchy.

They won immediately.

……

"Wait, the hierarchy of contempt... could we make a video about that?!"

Peng Gao was suddenly struck by a brilliant idea.

As a content creator, this is one of his strengths.

Just now, a scene from a movie popped into his mind.

With a slight alteration to the dialogue, it perfectly reflects the current online hierarchy of contempt.

Plan pass——

Open the editing software.

Download the relevant film and television footage to a folder, and then drag the clip of the zoo talking about cars to another variation of the video for comparison.

that's it.

After some editing.

A familiar scene from a TV series appears in the preview window.

The following is for reference only.

"You're so great...you're so aloof!"

"You drive a gas car with a Shanghai license plate, everyone envies you."

……

Do you know what kind of suffering I'm going through here? Do you know what kind of bullying I'm being subjected to?
Because I can't afford a Shanghai license plate, can't get one through the lottery system, and can't afford a car, I have to squeeze onto the subway and take the bus... I'm a fucking traffic obstacle!

-

"Boss... please stop criticizing Youth Entertainment, okay?"

I've been trying to get a license plate quota that costs tens of thousands of yuan for three years now; I'm completely exhausted from it.

Now that we finally have a cheap car with a free license plate, you all insist that it can't be driven.

Does anyone know whether this Mini can be driven or not?
This car only costs 40,000 yuan, so the car company isn't making any money at all.

Everyone needs to use their car sometimes.
......"

Finished making the video.

He posted it directly to the top of his account.

Then the video link was shared in the group chat.

"Everyone, please help spread this message. As owners of the Star Mini, we have been unfairly attacked and subjected to personal attacks. We must fight back."

In the Star Mini car owner group.

Peng Gao transformed into an internet tapper, a KOC (Key Opinion Consumer).

Normally, internet companies that are accustomed to marketing will proactively spend money to cultivate some KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders), such as car reviewers or industry experts, to endorse the company.

If any public opinion arises, you can stand up and speak out.

You can also proactively generate buzz and promote yourself.

"Koc" (koc) are often organic, generated naturally from consumers. They spontaneously promote the product because it is well-made or because they trust the brand.

In the era of self-media, influential KOCs can even develop to the point of having a large built-in traffic, becoming more deeply tied to brands, and having closer connections with local car owners.

at this time.

The other car owners in the group weren't just chatting; they were discussing the matter.

When they clicked on the video, they were immediately stunned.

I was stunned by the "magical" lines in it.

"Wow, this video is pretty good."

"What a talented group of car enthusiasts!"

"To be honest, I don't know why this car reviewer is so scathing. I had an accident last month. I was going 40 or 50 km/h and collided with an SUV. I thought I was done for, but the Star Mini was actually quite sturdy. Only the front was dented, and the internal crash beam was still intact. It was nothing like what he said."

"Share this! You must share this!!"

……

It can be said.

The video about the zoo talking about cars sounded catchy and approachable when I first watched it.

But everything changed with the release of Peng Gao's video.

The drastically altered dialogue, separated from the zoo's description of cars on either side of the video, makes the words seem pale and hypocritical.

The topic was already very popular.

Peng Gao's video quickly made it to the homepage and was seen by some people.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the scene in the video. "Holy crap... hahaha, this is hilarious!"

"Genius! You can even apply this?!"

"Sorry, I just jumped on the bandwagon and posted something about a mobile urn, but then it suddenly dawned on me, I drive a Yadea! If I were in a city with license plate restrictions, it seems like the only option besides the Star Mini is the Yadea!!"

"Yeah, the zoo is wrong to say the car is black. If you say this thing is bad, then find something better in the same price range!"

...

The tone of the comments began to shift.

It has become completely fragmented.

It's not that the group that was just criticizing suddenly changed their tune.

But among them, there were many netizens who surfed the internet without saying a word.

As low-income consumers, they were genuinely moved by the video even though they didn't buy the Starry Night Mini.

at the same time.

The official website and Weibo account of Xingchen Automotive.

A piece of information was published.

[The Star Mini has been submitted for testing by C-NCAP, and relevant registration information has been released...]

……

……

[Your account ending in 6541 has completed a transfer transaction of 150000 yuan.]

the next day.

Yu Hu woke up naturally in bed. As soon as he picked up his phone, he heard the notification sound of a payment arriving. He then showed a relaxed and contented expression.

Once you build up your social media traffic, it's much more comfortable than going to work.

With the accumulated fan base, you can talk about cars and take on commercial orders in your spare time, without requiring any technical skills.

This year.

The internet is my chance to turn things around!

He was a middle-aged man in his forties, with neither good looks nor talent, relying solely on his experience as a radio host and his silver tongue.

He somehow managed to become a well-known car reviewer.

In reality, he knows nothing about cars. He made hundreds of videos, which were mostly just rhymes and reading from scripts given by the client.

Add some upbeat background music, and you'll gain followers like crazy.

In today's internet world, as long as you're willing to film, you can make a living even if you're just playing a clown.

He also connected with a used car dealer last time.

They started a business that helps fans find used cars.

He connected with some high-profit used cars to provide benefits for his family, but unexpectedly, some fans bought them in bulk, making him a fortune.

Follow up...

That was the end of it.

Those who know about these used cars know what's going on; if there are any problems, they'll just pass them on to the car dealers.

Family members, I am innocent~~
……

Yu Hu habitually opened his phone to check the account status.

The video I posted yesterday.

He personally believes that he was still very "righteous and awe-inspiring".

It not only exposed the safety hazards of small cars, but also pointed out social problems.

It's so popular.

Who knows, I might even gain a lot of followers?

Judging from the comments, people are quite supportive.

"Based on the popularity of yesterday's video, if I'm not mistaken, it should have gained at least ten thousand followers..."

"Fuck..."

"what happened??"

Yu Hu was dumbfounded!
Looking at the homepage of the Zoo Talking Cars account, the number of followers, which originally exceeded 300,000, has dropped by 50,000 to 60,000.

The video he posted yesterday got even more views.

But the tone of the comments completely changed.

"The zoo talks about cars, and their rhyme is pretty good, but they have no conscience."

"No conscience +1".

"I saw this video yesterday and thought it made a lot of sense, but then I saw another video that went viral and realized that the zoo's comments about cars are really hypocritical. They're attacking a car that costs only tens of thousands of yuan without considering the survival issues of ordinary people. For the average person, it's good enough to have a car at all. The Xingchen Mini is definitely better than Yadea, and they even forced a startup car company to submit it for C-NCAP testing and public announcement..."

"The results are not yet available, but Xingchen Auto dared to send it for testing, so it must have some confidence. This kind of test is generally done on cars priced above 150,000 yuan."

"Tiger is too extreme, and his way of speaking may be lacking."

"Upstairs, don't think that Zoo Says Cars is a good person. I've been a fan of his for a long time and trusted him completely. I bought a used car with original paint and no repairs from the OnePlus used car store he recommended. But when I drove it, it kept making strange noises and vibrating. I took it to a repair shop, and they said it was an accident car and not original paint at all... I got ripped off like that. Now he won't reply to my messages anymore, and he even deleted my comment last time."

"Holy crap... this is outrageous!"

"You can know a person's face but not their heart."

"If that's the case, then that's incredibly hypocritical!"

"It's confirmed, Qinggao-ge..."

Yu Huren was completely dumbfounded!
Damn it?

Submitted for testing by "C-NCAP"?
This was something he hadn't expected.

And where did all these comments taking sides come from?

They even dug up all his dirty secrets!

Soon he saw another video in the video-related section.

"You're so great, so aloof..."

Yu Hu: "..."

I'm numb!!
"Oh no, we messed up... This Star Auto seems to have something going for it."

A chill ran through him.

Just now.

The phone rang suddenly.

"Tiger, something bad has happened... We've received a lawyer's letter! Xingchen Motors has sued our entire team!"

The assistant said hurriedly.

Yu Hu: "..."

This speed far exceeded his expectations!
It's completely different from traditional car companies.

"Don't panic, at worst you can delete the video and apologize..."

Yu Hu forced himself to remain calm and said.

He knew this; if the car company really wanted to expose him, they definitely wouldn't be able to win.

The key point is that he didn't expect this little car to be so sturdy; its safety seemed to exceed his expectations. He only glanced at it briefly after borrowing it, never disassembled it, and certainly didn't do any testing...

I already told you, he doesn't really know anything about cars!
but--

The problem is not big.

At worst, I'll delete the video, apologize, and admit defeat.

Losing so many fans is heartbreaking, but there's nothing I can do about it.

As long as the account is still active, it can be built up gradually over time.

Think so.

Yu Hu picked up his phone, ready to delete the video, to take "emergency precautions" first.

Just then, a pop-up notification appeared on the homepage.

Your account has been suspended for allegedly posting false, illegal, or fabricated information and will be forcibly logged out...

Yu Hu's eyes suddenly widened to be bigger than an ox's!

It was as if I had been struck by a bolt from the blue!

"Holy crap...where's my account?!"

"Why was it blocked?"

"My damn account is gone!!!"

……

obviously.

Just as he was taking emergency evasive action, the platform took the lead in taking emergency evasive action.

For platforms, dealing with sensitive accounts is always cheaper and faster than dealing with legal issues.

As the account was banned, the popularity of the related videos quickly dropped.

The zoo said the car's movements seemed to vanish suddenly.

This left many people who were paying attention completely baffled.

a few days later.

Xingchen's official website and Weibo account, in conjunction with the Automotive Technology Research Center, released a short video.

[Star Mini - C-NCAP Comprehensive Test Report]

It received a lot of clicks as soon as it was released.

……

"Family members, the C-NCAP test report for the Star Mini is here... I really didn't expect to see such test results on a small car that costs only 50,000 yuan. This is unprecedented in the domestic automotive industry..."

"Let's take a look at the test scores."

The occupant protection score rate was 74.56%, the pedestrian protection score rate was 59.44%, and the active safety score rate was 0%.

Overall rating: 3.5 stars.

Yang Li released an explanatory video.

This test included multiple events such as 100% rigid frontal collision, side pillar collision, and variable moving barrier collision...

can be seen.

The Star Mini performed much worse than a typical large vehicle in this test; its front and body were severely dented from the impact, and it scored no points in the third test.

"Don't laugh, everyone. Samsung's results are indeed not very good, but for a small car in this price range, it's unprecedented."

As we can see, the Star Mini performed well here. The front and body of the car were severely dented by the impact, but the passenger compartment remained intact, indicating that it has passed the minimum standard for passenger safety. The driver's side airbag, which is standard, performed perfectly.

The third test result was zero because the Star Mini doesn't have the AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) active safety feature at all!

……

"As for the result, what is it?"

To be objective—

With around 50,000, they're invincible; with around 100,000, it's a one-for-one trade!

In the video.

Yang Li confidently patted his chest and assured him.

The Star Mini's crash test occupant protection actually passed, even approaching the Corolla's crash test results. Isn't that enough?!

As for the other two items...

It’s okay not to look at it.

Expecting pedestrian protection and active safety features from a car that costs only 40,000 yuan is a bit ridiculous!
"A conscientious car company!!"

"Even though it's a small car, the results... are surprisingly good?"

"I wouldn't say it's outstanding, but it's definitely worth the price."

"If the zoo hadn't mentioned cars, we really wouldn't have seen crash tests of cars of this level."

"This is normal, because entry-level cars in this price range are unlikely to pass the tests due to cost considerations. At the very least, only cars priced above 100,000 yuan undergo such tests."

"After seeing this, I want to buy it even more!!"

……

For a while.

Viewers who watched the video gave it a thumbs up!
Many people still have doubts about the safety of the Star Mini.

You can see that this score is failing.

My heart immediately settled down.

I'm even more eager to buy it now!

Compared to the others, it's very safe!
It actually passed the test!!

What more could you want?
……

at the same time.

Several competitors stared incredulously at this bizarre development trend, their hearts filled with mixed feelings!
Damn it.

Instead of suppressing him, they actually gave him a marketing opportunity?

Is there any justice in this world?!

Driven by this wave of popularity, Star Mini saw its monthly order volume briefly break into new markets.

It went straight toward breaking the terrifying sales mark of 25,000 units.

...

The car reviewer community.

Many people gathered to watch this farce.

This startup car company gave me a "small eye-opening" experience.

The zoo's announcement about the car quickly faded in popularity because no further updates were released, and it gradually disappeared from the public eye.

A week later, not many netizens paid attention anymore.

However, some car reviewers have made a keen observation.

The zoo said that all of the car's accounts on several platforms have been flagged for risk control.

It's scary.

then.

Some reliable information has also emerged from car reviewer circles that have connections with the company.

The zoo is talking about cars—the trial is about to begin.

This has left many car reviewers in the industry feeling completely disoriented!
"Good guy——"

"This legal efficiency..."

"Holy crap... that was lightning speed?!"

"Isn't the usual thing to just delete the video, issue an apology, and that's it? And now they're in court? Will they even be able to recoup the costs of the lawsuit?"

"I've discovered that Xingchen Motors is a bit petty and likes to nitpick!"

"Wasn't the Porsche lawsuit also handled by Xingchen Motors...?"

"It's very strange. The company isn't large, but its legal capabilities are exceptionally strong!"

……

They all gasped in shock, their expressions utterly speechless.

According to their usual practice, even if they comment on some sensitive information and are warned by the car company, they will at most delete the video.

But who would have thought that this car company would do things differently?

They threw out their trump card right from the start!

This left them feeling quite disheartened, and they probably won't dare to make any comments casually in the future.

It's as if I've seen a "hedgehog".

No.

She's a "legal hedgehog" who loves to strike at lightning speed!!

……

　I feel like I've written a bit too much and it hasn't achieved the effect I wanted, but I'll finish writing it all at once and upload it first.

　　The Mini storyline has come to an end; now that the new car is rolling off the production line, we can move on to the launch event.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)