Lax Management, PR Blunders Led to EV-Maker HiPhi’s Undoing, Sources Say

Its founder’s slow response to financial woes and public relations blunders contributed to the apparent downfall of Chinese luxury electric vehicle (EV) brand HiPhi, people familiar with the company told Caixin, with the carmaker temporarily shuttering production and cutting its workforce.

The premium brand under Shanghai-based manufacturer Human Horizons Group Inc. has dismissed contract workers at its manufacturing facility located in Yancheng, Jiangsu province, one HiPhi employee told Caixin Tuesday. The firm on Sunday announced internally that it would halt production for six months, a person familiar with the matter confirmed.