Xpeng P7 Electric Car Catches Fire in Traffic Accident, Sparking Online Debate
On February 29th, a Xpeng P7 electric vehicle caught fire after a traffic accident in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. The incident took place at the intersection of Suzhengtou Avenue and Sijin Road. Footage captured by a surveillance camera showed the P7 losing control while driving at high speed on the rain-soaked expressway, eventually colliding with a traffic sign and bursting into flames. Xpeng Motors issued a statement expressing profound sadness over the casualties and vehicle damage resulting from the accident.
29 February 2024
The incident quickly became a hot topic on Chinese social media, with many netizens discussing the cause of the fire. Some users remarked that Tesla vehicles are more commonly seen catching fire in news headlines, while others noted that BYD vehicles are more frequently observed in real-life burning incidents. However, numerous users firmly asserted that the car's quality was not the primary reason for the fire, pointing the finger at reckless driving under poor weather conditions as the main culprit. Amidst the heated online debate, several comments suggested that Xpeng Motors, at its most challenging time, was unfairly singled out and targeted for criticism.
As one user wrote, "This event is self-inflicted. Who wants to play chicken by speeding in a downpour? This time, it's Xpeng, but it's just as dangerous to drive recklessly in a Lamborghini." A significant number of Weibo users called for a thorough investigation to be conducted, with some even questioning the authenticity of the "water army" at work, targeting Xpeng. "There should be experts examining the car to determine if it was a deliberate act," one user suggested.
Some netizens drew comparisons to high-profile incidents involving other automotive brands, such as the burning Lamborghini that caught fire during a car meet-up in 2018. Others pointed out that even luxury vehicles like Rolls-Royce have had their share of accidents or fires. A few users stressed that accidents like these should always lead to a critical self-reflection by the drivers involved. Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, most online commentators agreed that the root cause of the accident was the driver's reckless behavior in poor weather conditions, rather than any inherent flaw in the Xpeng P7's design or quality.
In the wake of the accident, Xpeng Motors has pledged to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire. In summary, the Xpeng P7 electric vehicle's fire incident following a traffic accident in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, has sparked a heated debate on Chinese social media. While some users suggested that there may be an orchestrated campaign against Xpeng Motors, the majority of commentators attribute the accident to the driver's reckless behavior under poor weather conditions. Xpeng Motors has committed to working closely with the authorities to determine the cause of the fire and will no doubt use the findings to further improve the safety and quality of their vehicles.
