Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a highly publicized stunt, Chery Automobiles' Fengyun X3L SUV fell short in its attempt to ascend the famous "Heaven’s Staircase" at Tianmen Mountain, resulting in damage to a portion of the historic staircase.

This incident took place on Wednesday when the SUV tried to navigate the steep 999-step staircase, also known as the "Sky Ladder," which leads up to the iconic Tianmen Cave within Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. Each step measures just 30 centimeters wide, with gradients exceeding 60 degrees in some sections, making it a grueling challenge for any vehicle.

Onlookers captured footage of the SUV faltering midway and sliding backwards, colliding with a guardrail and causing partial damage. Spectators were taken aback by the incident, with the vehicle ensnared on the stairs for close to two hours. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries.

Chery Responds to the Incident

In the aftermath, Chery Automobiles issued a formal apology, recognizing lapses in risk evaluation and planning. The company stated that a metal shackle on the safety rope's anchor unexpectedly came loose, causing the rope to become entangled with the SUV’s rear wheel. This impediment disrupted power transmission, leading to the unfortunate backward slide.

Chery has committed to repairing the damaged area, offering compensation, and revising safety protocols for upcoming tests. "We regret the incident and the impact it had on the public and Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area. This occurrence has unveiled gaps in our risk assessment and planning phases," Chery stated via its official social media channels.

A Historical Comparison

The failed stunt echoes a successful 2018 climb by Land Rover, where driver Tung Ho Pin ascended all 999 steps in a New Range Rover Sport in a remarkable 21 minutes and 47 seconds, during the "Dragon Challenge" campaign. This achievement remains a standout example of automotive stunts in China, underlining the immense difficulty of such endeavors.

Tianmen Mountain authorities had temporarily closed the staircase on November 12 and 13 for the stunt, though visitors could still access the summit via a mountain elevator. Chery’s attempt has ignited conversations surrounding safety, risk management, and the selection of public tourist spots for extreme automotive demonstrations.

As Chery pledges to mend the staircase and reassess its testing strategies, the episode serves as a significant reminder for automotive companies engaging in high-profile stunts at historic and popular tourist destinations.

#Global