Regulators in China are clamping down on manufacturers launching new cars before they’re ready, citing long-term safety and quality concerns.
According to business news outlet Caixin, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has updated standards for the certification of brand-new models, with fears consumers were unknowingly being used as guinea pigs.
It’s alleged automakers rushed cars to market before they were ready, dramatically reducing the research and development (R&D) period in order to gain an upper hand over competitors.
Coming into effect in January 2027, the new regulations will require all petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles to pass durability tests beyond 30,000km, while ‘new energy vehicles’ – which includes electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles – will need to demonstrate durability beyond 15,000km.
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Car companies will have to demonstrate their R&D capabilities, while test verification and results validation are set to come into force alongside increased automotive software security checks.
According to local media reports, Chinese officials expressed concern over some manufacturers bypassing or shortening testing protocols in extreme environments like cold weather, hot weather, and high elevations.
It’s believed the new rules could extend the product life cycles of Chinese cars or reduce the number of models being released, and could end up being a win for brands from Japan, Europe, and the US.
In recent years, established automakers have sometimes struggled to keep up with new models being launched by manufacturers from China, offering buyers more features and driving range for lower prices.
However, as the lower price tags of Chinese cars may have been helped by minimal R&D investment, consumers may see prices increase once the new laws are introduced.
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