Huawei’s luxury EV brand, Maextro (a joint venture with JAC), has secured a court victory against a Chinese automotive influencer, “Fraccino” (赛车星冰乐), in a defamation lawsuit. The court ordered Fraccino to pay 300,000 yuan (approximately $43,400 USD) in damages and issue a public apology for falsely claiming that tests demonstrating the Maextro S800 sedan’s suspension performance were fabricated.
The Dispute: Rigged Tests or Legitimate Performance?
The controversy began in early 2025 when Maextro released promotional videos showcasing the S800’s capabilities, including a “crab walk” maneuver and tests driving through harsh terrain alongside a Maybach S-Class. The S800 appeared to navigate these obstacles flawlessly, while the Maybach struggled. Fraccino responded by alleging the tests were staged to exaggerate the S800’s chassis comfort, accusing Huawei of typical deceptive marketing tactics.
Maextro initially demanded an apology, but Fraccino doubled down with a provocative counter-video mocking Huawei’s promotional efforts. This led JAC, one of Maextro’s parent companies, to file a lawsuit in May 2025. The original demand was for 1 million yuan (~$140,000 USD), but Fraccino threatened a countersuit seeking 2.5 million yuan (~$360,000 USD).
Court Ruling and Implications
On February 24, 2026, the court ruled in favor of Maextro, finding that Fraccino’s claims were fabricated and caused reputational damage. The court upheld the 300,000 yuan penalty and mandated a public apology.
This ruling marks a significant moment for Chinese automakers, signaling an increased willingness by courts to protect companies from baseless defamation.
This case is part of a broader trend. Chinese courts have previously ordered individuals to delete defamatory content, apologize publicly, and pay compensation up to 2 million yuan (~$280,000 USD) in similar cases involving BYD, Great Wall Motor, and Xpeng. In January 2026, a blogger was ordered to pay BYD 2 million yuan for spreading false claims about the Denza B5 SUV’s fuel efficiency.
The rise of automotive bloggers publishing sensationalized or unsubstantiated claims to drive traffic has become a growing concern for local manufacturers. The industry is now actively pursuing legal recourse against such practices.
The Maextro S800: A Rising Star in the Luxury EV Market
The Maextro S800, launched in August 2025, has quickly become a bestseller in the high-end sedan segment, priced above 700,000 yuan (~$100,000 USD). As of late 2025, cumulative sales have reached 14,078 units.
The vehicle’s dimensions (5480/2000/1536 mm with a 3,370 mm wheelbase) exceed even the BMW 7 Series (G70) by 89 mm in length. The interior features a massive 15.6-inch touchscreen for the driver and a 16-inch display for the passenger.
The all-electric version delivers 390 kW (523 hp) with a 95 kWh battery, offering a CLTC range of 702 km. An extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variant is also available, with dual-motor (390 kW) or tri-motor (635 kW / 852 hp) options and a 1.5-liter generator paired with a 65 kWh battery providing 365–400 km of electric range.
This legal victory, combined with strong sales figures, reinforces Maextro’s position as a serious contender in the luxury EV market. The case serves as a warning to influencers and a clear message that unsubstantiated claims will not be tolerated.
