Photo: VCG

 Chinese owners of cars made by NEV start-up Nio issued a joint statement on Wednesday saying that the company’s instructions for the Nio Pilot (NP)/Navigate on Pilot (NOP) system are not misleading and confusing, adding that they’re fully aware NOP is a driving assistance system rather than an autonomous driving or unmanned driving system. 

The letter comes after a Nio customer died on August 12 in a car accident when driving its ES8 sport utility vehicle. The customer reportedly had the NOP system on at the time of the accident.

The statement is aimed at clarifying some internet debates about the nature of NOP, Nio buyers said, as they are the direct users of NOP and have actual understanding and knowledge of how the system is used. 

The user guide clearly defines NP/NOP as a driving assistance system, requiring the drivers to stay focused on the road and be ready to drive the vehicle personally at any time, the car owners said in the statement.

Moreover, the vehicle system has a clear reminder of the nature of NP/NOP and what the driver needs to do when it is installed and turned on.

The car owners also said that they have all passed the relevant tests and are aware of the basic requirements of Chinese law for safe driving. “We are aware that there are currently no commercially available autonomous driving or unmanned driving systems worldwide,” they said in the letter.

In response to the road accident, Nio said it has been actively cooperating with relevant departments in the investigation of the accident, and the result will be made public at the earliest available opportunity.

Nio delivered 7,931 vehicles in July, up 124.5 percent from a year earlier.

Global Times