Regulators in China are cracking down on manufacturers who release new cars before they are ready, citing long-term safety and quality concerns.
According to the business news agency Caixin, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has updated standards for certifying brand new models, raising concerns that consumers are being unknowingly used as guinea pigs.
It is alleged that automakers rushed to market their cars before they were ready, drastically reducing research and development (R&D) time to gain the upper hand over the competition.
The new rules, which come into force in January 2027, require all petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to pass 30,000km durability tests, while “new energy vehicles” – including electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles – must demonstrate durability over 15,000km.
With Daily Sparkz you can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
Automotive companies will need to demonstrate their research and development capabilities, while test verification and result validation will come into effect along with increased safety testing for automotive software.
According to local media reports, Chinese officials expressed concern that some manufacturers are bypassing or shortening testing protocols in extreme environments such as cold, hot weather and high altitudes.
It is believed the new rules could extend the product life cycle of Chinese cars or reduce the number of models launched, ultimately proving a win for brands from Japan, Europe and the US.
In recent years, established automakers have sometimes struggled to keep up with new models released by manufacturers in China, offering buyers more features and range at lower prices.
However, since the lower prices of Chinese cars may have been aided by minimal investment in research and development, prices for consumers could rise once the new laws are introduced.
MORE: China introduces “no fire, no explosion” standards for electric vehicle batteries
