This marks an unprecedented moment in automotive history: a car company’s official rumor refutation statement has been maliciously manipulated into virtual “invisibility.”

On June 8th, Chery Automobile’s official account issued a Statement on Clarifying False Reports Regarding Chery’s Cooperation Matters, addressing media speculation about its partnership with India’s Tata Group.

Chery clarified that while recent media reports, citing foreign sources, have interpreted its cooperation with Tata Group, many have been based on misinformation. The company emphasized that negotiations with Tata are strictly limited to the supply of model-related parts and automotive components. Chery has no plans for direct investment or technology transfer in the Indian market. Claims about “platform transfer,” “platform licensing,” “technology licensing,” “technology export,” or “technology output” are entirely false.

Astonishingly, this statement was almost immediately reported and removed after its release, only being restored later on June 8th.

Earlier, on June 3rd, Reuters reported that Tata Motors planned to license a complete vehicle manufacturing platform from Chery Automobile. The move aimed to revive Tata’s delayed high-end electric vehicle project. As India’s leading EV manufacturer, Tata Motors intended to use Chery’s platform to locally produce its premium Avinya series electric vehicles, with at least two models planned and the first launch scheduled for 2027. Tata Motors, founded in 1945 and part of India’s Tata Group, is the country’s largest integrated automaker and commercial vehicle manufacturer.

Media reports further stated that Tata confirmed in an official statement its adoption of the Freelander platform, developed through Chery’s joint venture with Jaguar Land Rover in China. The new vehicles will be manufactured at Tata’s newly completed factory in Tamil Nadu, southern India. Insiders revealed that the first Avinya model based on Chery’s platform is set for a 2027 launch, with initial parts shipped from China and final assembly completed in India.

However, these reports sparked malicious interpretations from some domestic self-media outlets, leading to baseless rumors targeting Chery. In response, Chery issued its statement on June 8th. The identity of those who reported Chery’s official refutation remains unclear. The question persists: whose interests were threatened, prompting such malicious actions?

Chery is China’s export leader among automakers, with overseas sales accounting for over 70% of its total. Its 2025 annual report revealed 1.294 million vehicles exported, marking a 33.2% year-on-year increase. By the end of 2025, Chery became the first Chinese automaker to surpass 5 million cumulative exports, ranking first in Chinese brand passenger vehicle exports for 23 consecutive years. The company advocates for “global branding” and “global ecosystems,” with products sold in over 100 countries and regions worldwide.

In May 2026, Chery’s export growth remained robust, with its five major brands selling 231,900 vehicles, up approximately 20.7% year-on-year. By power type, new energy vehicle sales reached 89,300 units, while export sales totaled 177,700 vehicles. As of the market close on June 8th, Chery Automobile’s stock fell by 1.1% to HK$26.9 per share, with a total market value of HK$156.3 billion.