Wukong Car Rental Accused of Forcing Expensive Insurance; CEO Apologizes and Launches Reforms

Some consumers have reported that after renting a Denza D9 through Wukong Car Rental for RMB 1,700 over eight days, the delivery staff on-site demanded an additional payment of approximately RMB 4,000 for insurance, threatening that "if any issues arise, insurance won't cover it" if the fee wasn't paid. The consumer described this as a rental trap involving "low-price bait followed by high-pressure insurance upselling." In response, Wukong Car Rental CEO Hu Xianhe issued a public apology on July 26, stating that the affected user had already been compensated and that disciplinary action had been taken against the involved merchant. Hu acknowledged the industry-wide problem of cutthroat competition, where rental prices are sometimes set below cost, leading some merchants to rely on insurance commissions to offset losses. He also announced that the platform is now rigorously investigating forced insurance sales. Users encountering such practices can receive an immediate refund if they file a complaint promptly and provide proof of payment. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Beijing, Wukong Mobility operates in 483 cities across China, offering short-term self-drive rentals, long-term leases, and corporate vehicle services, with a fleet of 200,000 available vehicles.