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Mercedes-Benz’s headquarters in Beijing made a public statement on Monday about its investigation into the out-of-control car, which was reported last month by a driver in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province.
Mercedes says that based on data stored in the vehicle, both the cruise control and braking system were functioning normally on the night of March 14, 2018.
Screenshot from CCTV
According to the driver, identified as Mr. Xue, while on the highway connecting Henan and Shaanxi provinces that night, he lost control of his car after turning on the cruise control. All systems of the car seemed to stop responding besides for the steering wheel.
He followed the company’s after-sale techniques, but none of these worked, forcing him be trapped in the car for an hour while it traveled at nearly 120km/h.
With no other options, Mr. Xue called the police. Since it is the main transport route between the two provinces and there were many cars and trucks on road, the police worked together with local toll authorities to quickly clear three lanes at the next toll station to help him pass through.
According to Mr. Xue, the car came to stop only after he repeatedly opened and closed the door.
But the story got a lot of attention when it appeared online, with many questioning the alleged events of the evening.
Screenshot from CCTV
As Liu Shi, professor from Beijing Police College, told China Central Television during an interview, “It was impossible for a professional racer to maintain such a high speed on a busy highway for nearly an hour, let alone for a [civilian] driver.”
The professor also asked another question: “The engine, transmission and braking system in a car are relatively separate from each other, which means they could all lose control at the same time. It’s quite impossible [to see such a case].”
Many netizens also questioned the ability to open the door at such a speed, or that the car could stop once the door was open.
Screenshot from CCTV
While many people say footage of his driving should be released to the public, Mr. Xue said the record has been erased, since the flash card ran out of space – a claim which aroused more questions.
Screenshot from Sina Weibo
After the statement was made to the public, Mr. Xue said on his Weibo account that the investigation made by the technical experts from Mercedes was not convincing enough. “We have reached an agreement that an independent third party organization is to do further investigations,” Mr. Xue said to the Beijing Youth Daily.
(CGTN)
