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Chery Apologizes After Failed Tianmen Mountain Stair-Climb That Damaged Guardrail

The company blames a detached safety‑rope shackle that cut power to a wheel, pledging full repairs plus stricter safety controls.

Overview

  • Chery confirmed its Fulwin (Fengyun) X3L SUV lost propulsion during a November 12–13 attempt to scale Tianmen Mountain’s 999-step staircase in Hunan, China.
  • Onlooker video shows the vehicle lose drive near a landing, slide backward along handrails, and strike a stone guardrail; no injuries were reported.
  • A preliminary inquiry by Chery cites an anchor shackle detaching from a safety rope, which then entangled the right wheel and obstructed power output.
  • The automaker apologized for insufficient risk assessment and oversight, and said it will repair the damaged site, compensate fully, and tighten test safety procedures.
  • Some outlets report Chery may try the climb again later this month with technical changes, though those plans remain unconfirmed.