Rumor of "Eight Automakers Losing Vehicle Production Licenses Permanently" Debunked; Haima and Others Confirm Licenses Remain Valid

Recently, online rumors claiming that "eight automakers have permanently lost their whole-vehicle production qualifications" sparked widespread attention. The rumor alleged that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) removed eight companies—FAW Xiali, Brilliance Auto (independent brand), Zotye, Liebao, Lifan, Huatai, BAIC Yinxiang, and Haima—from its list in Announcement No. 408, freezing and permanently invalidating their whole-vehicle production qualifications. However, this claim has been verified as false. Haima Automobile, one of the companies mentioned, has publicly clarified that both of its production bases retain valid qualifications to manufacture both fuel-powered and new energy vehicles, stating that the online claims are inconsistent with the facts. In reality, among the eight listed companies, only the former FAW Xiali had its access permit canceled years ago. Of the remaining seven, some have either canceled or plan to cancel specific production sites—not their entire whole-vehicle production qualifications. Moreover, recent MIIT announcements titled “Announcement on Road Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Products” contain no statements indicating that any of these companies were entirely removed from the official list or that their whole-vehicle production qualifications were frozen. Additionally, the alleged list lacks any official source. Publicly available information shows that after ending its partnership with Mazda, Haima Automobile maintained operations by contract manufacturing for XPeng Motors and has clearly shifted its strategic focus toward new energy vehicles, intelligent vehicles, and hydrogen energy. The company is currently prioritizing exports and mobility services, achieving sales of 17,025 vehicles in 2025, with 98% of those sold overseas.