China Drives Reliability Tests Into Top Gear

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in China has approved new standards for vehicle quality inspection, which will come into force on January 1, 2027. The main goal of the reform is to halt the decline in car reliability, as recorded by J.D. Power. This drop in quality is linked to fierce competition, which forces manufacturers to shorten development cycles and release “unfinished” products. Now, every new gasoline engine model will be required to undergo documented endurance tests covering a distance of 18,641 miles (30,000 kilometers) before entering the market.

The regulations clearly separate the testing methodology for different classes of vehicles. Passenger cars and crossovers with integral bodies will be tested under gentle conditions: most of the time with partial loading and mainly in urban conditions (55% of the distance). However, the conditions for frame SUVs are significantly tougher: tests must be conducted exclusively with maximum loading, and the route is shifted towards challenging conditions-high-speed highways, mountain serpentines (25% of the path), and gravel roads.

Interestingly, for electric vehicles and hybrids, the mandatory test distance is cut in half, to 9,320 miles (15,000 kilometers). This adjustment recognizes the differing nature of these vehicles and aims to foster innovation while maintaining product reliability. Experts believe these changes could drive significant improvements in the quality and consumer trust in new automotive technologies, particularly as the competitive pressure is expected to increase further as more manufacturers enter the EV market.

This new directive is anticipated to have a positive impact on the automotive industry’s technological advancements in China. It emphasizes the importance of durability as a key factor influencing consumer purchasing decisions and encourages manufacturers to focus on quality over speed in the development process.