Chinese customers and authorities are searching for answers after an electric Aito M7 Plus’ security systems allegedly failed
- Three people, including a two-year-old child, were killed in a serious accident in China last week.
- The accident involved an Aito M7 Plus, which was supposed to have an automatic emergency braking system.
- However, both Bosch and Huawei deny having developed the AEB system, leaving consumers’ questions unanswered.
A tragic car accident in China that killed three people has raised concerns about possible gaps in accountability within the domestic auto industry. These concerns stem from the influx of tech giants partnering with established automakers.
The accident occurred on Friday, April 26, when an Aito M7 Plus drove into the back of a slower-moving watercraft on a highway in Yungcheng, a city in northern China. The SUV in question is manufactured by Aito, a subsidiary of Seres Group, with technology and marketing support from smartphone giant Huawei and more traditional suppliers such as Bosch.
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In the moments before the accident, the M7 Plus was traveling at a speed of 71 mph (115 km/h) and the vehicle subsequently burst into flames, killing three people, including a two-year-old. old child, Caixin reports. Unfortunately, many details surrounding the crash itself are still unknown and answers have been difficult to come by.
For example, a family member of the M7 Plus occupants killed in the accident asked why the automatic emergency braking system (AEB) did not work in this case. In a now-deleted post, Huawei claimed that the car was equipped with a system developed by Bosch and that the SUV was driving faster than intended. However, the German supplier denies having provided the security system in the M7 Plus.
Some have also claimed that the vehicle’s airbags did not deploy properly, a claim that the Aito brand refutes. Meanwhile, the family claims the doors failed to unlock following the accident, complicating efforts to free the occupants from the vehicle.
“On April 26, 2024, at around 4:34 p.m., an Aito M7 Plus was involved in a serious traffic accident in Yuncheng, Shanxi,” Aito said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the victims of the accident and extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. In accordance with national platform data access management regulations, the vehicle was traveling at a speed of 115 km/h at the time of the accident. The airbags deployed normally and the power battery functioned as expected.”
The incident remains under investigation and Aito has committed to cooperating with police. “We are actively cooperating with the local traffic police to investigate the accident, providing all necessary data to determine the cause and providing comprehensive support to the families of those involved,” the company stated.
Still, an unnamed automotive industry veteran told Caixin that the Chinese industry needs more transparency about which brands offer what when it comes to collaborations. Without it, it could become unclear who to turn to when errors occur, and it could allow those at fault to evade responsibility.
