BEIJING — China’s government is putting pressure on the country’s automotive industry to raise its safety standards and rein in what officials are calling reckless business practices.
The nation’s industry ministry gathered top automakers Friday and urged them to push back against “irrational competition” while making sure their vehicles, components, and driving assistance systems — including autonomous technology — are safe for consumers.
According to a statement released by the ministry, car manufacturers are being directed to examine their production processes for problems related to consistency, reliability, and durability. Companies are also expected to thoroughly evaluate safety risks before launching new vehicle designs or products.
The ministry made clear that deceptive marketing will not be tolerated, warning that companies must avoid “exaggerated or false advertising” in how they promote their products to the public.
Officials also called on automakers to “strengthen safety assessments of combined driver-assistance and autonomous driving features” — a growing area of concern as more vehicles incorporate advanced technology on public roads.
The ministry added that government authorities plan to increase their monitoring and inspection of production quality and consistency across the industry. Those found to be in violation of the new directives will face penalties, officials warned.
