Xiaomi and JAC Win Defamation Lawsuit Against Online Media, Awarded RMB 5.3 Million

On February 24, Xiaomi and Zunjie—a brand under JAC Motors—separately announced the first-instance rulings in their lawsuits against self-media accounts for infringement. The court ruled that the self-media outlet "AutoReport Auto Industry & Economics" must issue a public apology and pay RMB 5 million in compensation for damaging Xiaomi's reputation by disseminating false and disparaging content. Another self-media account, "Racing Frappuccino," was ordered to apologize and pay RMB 300,000 in damages for fabricating exaggerated and defamatory content that harmed the reputation of Zunjie’s S800 model. In recent years, certain automotive self-media outlets have exploited vehicle reviews as a cover to smear automakers, targeting companies such as Xiaomi, BYD, and NIO in coordinated "black PR" campaigns. In response, the Cyberspace Administration of China launched two special "Clean & Clear" enforcement actions in 2025 to crack down on false online information targeting enterprises. Multiple automakers have also taken proactive legal steps: BYD has established a whistleblower reward program offering up to RMB 5 million, while Xiaomi has already assisted 51 vehicle owners in filing lawsuits to protect their rights.