On September 8, the People's Court Announcement Network published a notice that BYD Company Limited (002594.SZ) has filed a lawsuit against Chang Yao for online infringement liability disputes, with case number (2025) Jing 0491 Min Chu 7591.

Industry sources widely believe that defendant Chang Yao is the CEO of the Tank brand under Great Wall Motor Company Limited (601633.SH). Due to inability to contact Chang Yao directly, the court has initiated public service procedures and will hold a hearing in late September.

The announcement states that after 30 days from the date of the announcement, it will be deemed that the copy of the complaint, notice to respond, and court summons have been served to Chang Yao. The deadline for submitting a defense statement is 15 days from the day following the expiration of the public service period. The remote hearing is scheduled for 14:30 on the third day after the expiration of the defense period (postponed if it falls on a legal holiday) at Courtroom 42 of the Beijing Internet Court.

Since July this year, Chang Yao has been in a state of missing contact, which is believed to be related to Great Wall Motor Company Limited's internal anti-corruption efforts. His social media activity stopped on June 24. It is currently unclear whether Chang Yao's position as CEO of Great Wall Motor's Tank brand has been terminated.

On September 8, both Great Wall Motor Company Limited and BYD Company Limited were contacted regarding the above information, but as of press time, neither automaker has responded.

According to public information, Chang Yao graduated with a bachelor's degree from York University in 2005; served as Senior Director of User Operations at Great Wall Motor Company Limited in 2022; was promoted to Deputy General Manager of the Tank brand in April 2024; and was promoted to CEO of the Tank brand in May 2025.

Tank is Great Wall Motor Company Limited's brand focusing on off-road vehicles, which became officially independent in 2021. Currently available models include Tank 300, Tank 400, Tank 500, and Tank 700. According to Great Wall Motor Company Limited's production and sales report, in the first eight months of this year, the Tank brand's cumulative sales reached 143,700 units, down 4.88% year-over-year.