Lynk & Co Executive Fined for New Car Design Leak
Automaker Lynk & Co has fined an executive 50,000 yuan and issued a severe written warning following the premature disclosure of a new car model's design details during a factory livestream event.
Automaker Lynk & Co has imposed disciplinary action, including a 50,000 yuan fine (approximately $6,900 USD) and a severe written warning, on a senior executive after confidential design information about the upcoming Lynk & Co 20 model was leaked. The leak occurred during a media visit and livestream event at the company's Chengdu factory on August 12.
Reports indicate that the executive failed to verify the production line schedule during the livestream, which led to the unintended reveal of the distinctive rear spoiler design for the Lynk & Co 20. This design element was reportedly intended to be kept under wraps until the official launch.
The Lynk & Co 20 is slated for market release in the third quarter of this year. The vehicle is expected to feature a more refined and sporty aesthetic, along with enhanced intelligent driving capabilities due to the integration of LiDAR technology. Official filings describe the car's dimensions as 4495mm in length, 1845mm in width, and 1573mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2755mm.
Power will come from a single electric motor producing 245 kilowatts, utilizing a lithium iron phosphate battery. The car's top speed is rated at 201 km/h. Neither earlier design renderings nor official teasers had previously shown the specific rear spoiler that was revealed during the factory broadcast.
The incident underscores the importance of stringent information security protocols within the automotive industry, particularly concerning the highly competitive pre-launch phases of new vehicle models.