Online smear networks have increasingly targeted China’s auto sector, with BYD, GWM and Xpeng suffering sustained reputation damage.
On December 12, China’s state broadcaster CCTV exposed the inner tactics of online smear networks targeting the automotive industry.
The report highlighted that carmakers including Xpeng Motors, GWM and BYD have all been subjected to reputation infringement.
According to the program, the auto industry has become a prime target for so-called “black-mouth” accounts—operators who disguise themselves as professional reviewers but fabricate negative narratives, splice unrelated accident footage, or magnify minor defects to continuously attack corporate brand images.
In one case, BYD was targeted by an account that repeatedly published insulting content, including reposted fire-related videos unrelated to BYD vehicles to create the false impression of “self-exploding cars.”
A court ruled the behavior constituted defamation, ordering compensation of RMB 2,018,700 ($282,618) and a public apology.
GWM faced similar circumstances. One self-media account packaged itself as “patriotic” and “righteous,” while persistently launching disparaging attacks against the company.
The court found the conduct far exceeded legitimate public scrutiny and constituted defamation, requiring the deletion of related content and the payment of RMB 200,000 ($28,000) in damages.
Xpeng Motors was also targeted by an account that spread false claims including “battery water intrusion,” “refusal to honor warranties,” and AI-generated vulgar fake videos.
The court ordered all infringing content removed and awarded Xpeng RMB 100,000 ($14,000) in economic damages.
The report noted that the problem extends beyond fabrications alone. Some accounts manufacture negative sentiment and then solicit payments from companies under the pretext of “cooperation” or “post removal.”
Others leverage past industry experience to build credibility as “professionals,” selectively exposing issues to attract traffic while promoting their own products or services.
Beyond “black-mouth” activity, the program also flagged another worrying trend: fan-club-style tribalism. With competition in the EV market intensifying, some online groups divide themselves by brand allegiance, creating emotional hostility through mutual attacks and labeling, further distorting the industry’s public discourse.
Regulators have already taken notice. In September, the Cyberspace Administration of China and multiple agencies launched a three-month crackdown targeting malicious slander, fake reviews, rumor-mongering and orchestrated online manipulation in the auto sector, releasing two batches of typical cases.
Authorities stressed that online smear actors and the organizations behind them must bear civil liability, and in severe cases could face criminal charges. Platforms, they added, must strengthen content moderation and cannot cite “technical neutrality” as an excuse.
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