On March 25th, reports surfaced regarding an incident where a Mercedes EQE electric vehicle caught fire while being driven by Mr. Zeng in Changsha on March 24th. However, the assessment report provided by the manufacturer has left Mr. Zeng dissatisfied.
Mr. Zeng, who purchased the Mercedes EQE 350 electric car for 470,000 CNY in November 2022, reported that on February 26th, while his friend was driving, they noticed a rapid decline in the displayed remaining mileage and detected a burning smell.
Upon opening the windows, Mr. Zeng observed smoke and flames emanating from the rear wheels, with both front and rear brake discs glowing red. They managed to extinguish the fire with the help of three fire extinguishers.
Following the incident, the vehicle underwent examination by dealership and manufacturer personnel, resulting in a report issued in March. The report explicitly stated:
"Analysis of the accelerator and brake pedal position status data retrieved from the vehicle's system before the incident indicates that the driver simultaneously operated the accelerator pedal while depressing the brake pedal for a duration of 18 minutes."
The conclusion drawn by Mercedes-Benz was that the overheating of the braking system was caused by improper operation by the driver, and that the vehicle's braking system functioned normally as designed.
While expressing regret over the accident, the manufacturer asserted that as there were no signs of defects or malfunctions in the vehicle's design or manufacturing, they should not be held responsible for the incident.
Mr. Zeng, however, refutes the manufacturer's conclusion, stating that his friend, with nine years of driving experience, could not have simultaneously pressed the accelerator and brake pedals, especially for 18 minutes.
They attempted to engage a third-party appraisal organization for a more detailed analysis of the vehicle data. However, the dealership has consistently refused to provide access, citing confidentiality concerns.
Subsequently, the Mercedes-Benz dealership expressed willingness to engage a reputable and qualified third-party appraisal organization for a re-evaluation of the vehicle, with negotiations ongoing between the parties.
