Huawei is suing popular car influencer Racing Frappuccino for $140,000, accusing him of damaging the reputation of its new luxury car, the Maextro S800. The tech giant claims the influencer’s critical videos caused “harmful publicity” and misled consumers.
But Racing Frappuccino isn’t backing down.
According to Boosted, he denies the accusations and has filed a $340,000 counterclaim, arguing that he’s being punished for sharing his honest opinion — and warning that more content is on the way.
What Started the Dispute?
The conflict began after Racing Frappuccino posted a video accusing Huawei of misleading marketing. He claimed that the company rigged comparison tests between the Maextro S800 and the Maybach S680, a high-end luxury sedan from Mercedes-Benz.
According to him, Huawei carefully calculated the Maextro’s speed and weight to ensure it could glide over a pond without making a splash — unlike the Maybach, which created large splashes in the same test.
Huawei used these videos to show off the Maextro’s advanced suspension system, saying it could drive over water, glass, and sand without leaving a trace, thanks to its new Turing Dragon Architecture.
Racing Frappuccino called the comparison unfair and claimed it was aimed at stirring national pride among Chinese consumers.
The Satirical “Apology” That Escalated Everything
After the lawsuit was announced, Racing Frappuccino responded with a mock apology video. In it, he mimicked Huawei’s slick presentation style, while clearly mocking their methods and distancing himself from the car's performance claims.
Huawei took the video seriously, saying it further damaged the car’s reputation. The company is now pushing ahead with legal action, arguing that the influencer’s content misled the public and hurt the brand.
In response, Racing Frappuccino filed a counter-lawsuit for $340,000, saying the company is trying to silence criticism.
He insists his videos are based on factual data and honest analysis, and that Huawei’s lawsuit is a threat to freedom of expression.
“This isn’t just about a car review,” he wrote. “It’s about the right to question powerful companies and the stories they’re selling us.”
The Maextro S800, developed by Huawei in partnership with Chinese automaker JAC, is one of the country’s biggest luxury car launches this year. It’s expected to go on sale soon in both electric and hybrid versions.
But now, the focus has shifted from the car itself to the legal battle around it.
