Li Auto recently released a promotional video featuring actor Xie Miao, who performs tai chi while standing between two moving Li L9 SUVs. The commercial mirrors the 2013 Volvo Trucks advertisement featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme, replicating the camera angles, lighting, and the sequence where the vehicles slowly drift apart.
The video sparked online debate, with some viewers questioning if the footage was AI-generated, while others accused Li Auto of copying Volvo's creative concept. In response, Volvo Group China posted its original 2013 commercial on social media, emphasizing the enduring nature of its classic campaign without explicitly naming the Chinese automaker.
Li Auto executive known as 'Ying Ge' acknowledged that the company drew inspiration from the Volvo advertisement as a tribute to the classic work. He stated that the primary goal of the video was to demonstrate the capabilities of the Li L9's 800V fully active suspension system while navigating uneven, asymmetric road surfaces.
The executive dismissed claims that the video was AI-generated, asserting that the production involved real-world driving maneuvers. He argued that the technical challenge of the Li Auto shoot was higher than the original, as it focused on showcasing the vehicle's ability to smooth out road vibrations in real time.
