BYD has officially acknowledged that it’s taking legal action over influencers who are spreading fake news about them.
Last week, BYD released an official statement that it was taking legal action against several dozen influencers in China while putting more than a hundred more under a microscope – monitoring them internally in case they start to run their mouths. This is all happening in China, where the brand has very suddenly come under public scrutiny as rival companies have started to throw shade at BYD subtly.
While the competition has not directly named BYD, it seems that several social media influencer accounts may not be as careful. So far, influencers in China have been ordered by the courts to pay fines for the following offenses against BYD.
- Defamation – accusing BYD of manipulating online influencers to disparage competitors – 100,000 yuan, public apology
- Posting content deemed insulting to BYD and its executives – 100,000 yuan, pubic apology
- Making false claims about product safety and quality – 60,000 yuan
- Circulating unverified claims about BYD’s financial stability – 60,000 yuan
- Posting false claims regarding vehicle explosions – put on administrative detention
These are just some of the punishments being handed out. BYD says that they will continue to use legal methods to address defamatory content about their brand. They are encourage the public to report leads on disinformation to its ‘News Anti-Fraud Office’ and are even offering cash rewards from 50,000 to 5,000,000 yuan for verified leads.
BYD stock prices have taken a major hit in recent weeks, dropping from a record high of 405 yuan on 23 May 2025 to 354.80 yuan this morning. While the company continues to post impressive sales numbers, they’re also slashing prices internationally and here too. Price cutting is ultimately good for new consumers, but it may anger existing customers who may have paid significantly more just a short while ago for the same product. It also puts rivals without deep pockets in an uncomfortable financial situation and investors too may not love lowering profit margins per product. It’s easy to see why so many parties would have something negative to say about this company out of jealousy, spite and anger. Best not to talk about them at all in China – lest you accidentally say something that could get you in legal trouble.
