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Chinese Manufacturer Huawei Filed a Lawsuit Against a Digital Influencer After He Posted Negative Reviews on the Luxury Sedan Maextro S800. The Company Claims That the Comments Damaged the Vehicle’s Image and Seeks Legal Compensation, Reviving Discussions About Freedom of Expression on Social Media.
The dispute between Huawei and a car influencer has taken unexpected proportions. The Chinese technology giant filed a lawsuit for US$ 140,000 against the content creator known as Racing Frappuccino after criticisms of the luxury sedan Maextro S800.
Controversial Comparisons
It all started with a series of videos released by Huawei. The brand compared the Maextro S800 to the Mercedes Maybach S680.
One of the tests involved the performance when passing over potholes. In another video, both vehicles crossed a shallow lake with water, glass, and sand.
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The results favored the S800. The Huawei model passed without leaving traces. Meanwhile, the Maybach broke the glass and spread water.
The company emphasized the performance of the Chinese car as superior, focusing on driving comfort and the Turing Dragon Architecture, an intelligent platform that combines sensors, central control, and autonomous learning.
Criticism and Response
Racing Frappuccino published a video on Weibo criticizing the test. According to him, the results were “carefully calculated” with mathematical formulas.
He claimed that Huawei adjusted the speed and weight of the car to ensure good performance. The influencer said that the lake’s depth — exactly 4.5 cm — was ideal for the S800 but not for the Maybach.
The blogger also suggested that the video does not reflect the true comfort of the vehicle. In an ironic tone, he stated that the action was a marketing ploy targeted at the patriotic upper-middle class, which tends to support national brands. The video received significant backlash.
Lawsuit and Counterattack
Huawei then sued the influencer for defamation and demanded US$ 140,000 in damages. In response, Racing Frappuccino stated that he would sue Huawei for US$ 340,000.
The influencer even published another video, in a tone of apology but with irony. He mimicked Huawei’s official presentation style, which many interpreted as a new provocation.
About the Maextro S800
The Maextro S800 is a luxury sedan developed by Huawei in partnership with JAC. It will begin to be sold this year at HIMA network stores. The car has a two-tone paint job, 20-inch wheels, and a LiDAR sensor on the roof.
The model will be offered in BEV (100% electric) and EREV (electric with range extender) versions. The BEV version can have up to three motors, with a total output of 635 kW (852 hp). The EREV version delivers 390 kW (523 hp), with a dual motor and a 1.5-liter range extender.
The dispute between Huawei and the influencer continues to generate debate on Chinese internet.
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