Chinese Automaker’s Attempt to Recreate Range Rover Sport’s Tianmen Mountain Feat Ends in Failure

Chery Automobile’s Attempt to Conquer Tianmen Mountain Ends in Failure

Chery Automobile’s ambitious endeavor to ascend the famous “Heaven’s Staircase” at Tianmen Mountain in China has unfortunately resulted in a major setback.

The Chinese automaker set out to replicate the impressive feat achieved by the Range Rover Sport in 2018, where it successfully navigated its way up the 999 steps. However, Chery’s Fengyun X3L SUV fell short of reaching the mountain’s summit, leading to a rather embarrassing outcome.

A video circulated by the Global Times captures the X3L’s daring attempt to conquer the staircase. Regrettably, the SUV began to roll backward at one point, causing substantial damage to the structure in the process.

In an official statement, Chery explained that an unexpected detachment of a metal shackle on the safety rope’s anchor point resulted in the rope wrapping around the vehicle’s right rear wheel. This obstruction hindered power transmission and ultimately led to the SUV sliding back down the steps.

Chery Automobile expressed deep regret for the incident at Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China, and pledged to cover the full costs of repairing the damage caused. The company acknowledged its failure to adequately assess potential risks and maintain meticulous attention to detail during the planning and execution of the test.

“We sincerely apologize to the public and Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area for the harm inflicted,” stated Chery. “The outcome has highlighted our oversight in risk assessment and shortcomings in detail management throughout the test process. We particularly regret the concerns raised by conducting the test in a public scenic area.”

Chery Automobile’s mishap at Tianmen Mountain serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thorough preparation and risk assessment in ambitious automotive endeavors. While the company has expressed remorse for the incident, it also underscores the need for meticulous planning and execution in high-profile automotive tests.