A major legal case from China has put social media influencers under scrutiny. A court has imposed a penalty of around ₹40 lakh on an automotive influencer for allegedly defaming the Huawei-backed luxury car brand Maestro.
The controversy highlights growing concerns about misleading automotive content posted to gain views and engagement on social platforms.
Court Rules in Favor of Huawei-JAC Venture
The case centers on the Huawei and JAC Motors joint luxury brand Maestro. Chinese courts ruled in favor of the company after finding that the influencer spread fabricated claims about the Maestro S800.
Authorities noted that such content can harm brand reputation and mislead consumers.
Why the Defamation Case Was Filed
The dispute began after Maestro released promotional videos showcasing the S800 sedan’s advanced capabilities, including:
-
Crab-walk functionality
-
Satellite calling support
-
Advanced pothole-handling demonstration
One widely discussed video compared the S800 with the Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class, highlighting the Maestro’s suspension performance over specially prepared potholes.
The company maintained the tests were genuine.
Influencer Allegedly Called Tests “Rigged”
A Chinese auto influencer operating the Weibo account “Racing Frappuccino” (around 605,000 followers) claimed the demonstrations were staged and described them as marketing manipulation.
According to court findings:
-
The influencer posted multiple critical videos
-
He refused to apologize when asked
-
He later doubled down with more allegations
The court concluded the claims lacked evidence and constituted defamation.
Court Order: Apology and ₹40 Lakh Damages
In May 2025, JAC filed a defamation lawsuit seeking 1 million yuan in damages. The influencer even threatened a countersuit of 2.5 million yuan.
However, the court ultimately ruled:
-
Influencer’s claims were fabricated
-
Brand reputation suffered harm
-
Public apology required
-
300,000 yuan (~₹40 lakh) compensation ordered
Maestro S800: China’s Premium Luxury Push
The Maestro S800 has quickly gained traction in China’s luxury segment.
Key highlights:
-
Deliveries began: August 2025
-
Total sales: 14,000+ units
-
December sales: 4,376 units
-
Price range: 708,000 to 1.018 million yuan
The model positions itself against established luxury players in China’s premium sedan market.
The ₹40 lakh penalty sends a strong message to automotive influencers about the risks of posting unverified claims. As automakers like Huawei and JAC push deeper into the luxury space, legal scrutiny around online automotive content is clearly tightening in China.