Beijing Hyundai GM Li Fenggang Slams Some Automakers for Skipping Essential Testing, Turning Customers into "Test Drivers"

At the 2026 China Automotive Forum, Li Fenggang, General Manager of Beijing Hyundai Motor Company, stated that the automotive industry cannot follow the logic of smartphones and other consumer electronics, emphasizing that cars should not be treated as fast-moving consumer goods. He pointed out that some automakers, in their rush to accelerate new vehicle launches, have skipped essential validation processes, effectively forcing consumers to become "test drivers" and exposing them to potential risks. Li stressed that automotive components must undergo two critical validation phases: Design Verification (DV) and Production Validation (PV). The DV phase verifies the feasibility of the design, while the PV phase ensures consistent quality and stable production under mass manufacturing conditions. He noted that certain brands carry out only one of these phases, resulting in poor production consistency and significant quality fluctuations. Additionally, Li revealed that Beijing Hyundai plans to launch three new models this year, including the IONIQ V, which is scheduled for release in September.