Chinese EVs are often highlighted for low cost, yet the JAC Maextro V800 minivan commands a $150,000 price tag and a host of upscale features.
High price and premium equipment
The V800 presents a steer-by-wire system, a built-in coffee machine, a 41.6-inch retractable projector screen, and a 41-speaker audio array. Gesture-operated windows add to the luxury ambience.
Brake pedal bracket failure revealed
Independent testing of three separate V800 units showed the brake pedal bracket broke when drivers simulated an emergency stop from 62 miles per hour (100 km/h). The test protocol followed a standard emergency-braking procedure used by safety labs. The failure occurred on the pivot mount, not the pedal itself.
The component is molded from polypropylene infused with 40% glass fiber, a material common in the industry. However, the design leaves insufficient reinforcement, and the distance between the pivot point and the pedal’s center measures 5.1 inches (130 mm), a factor noted by CarNewsChina.
For owners, the issue translates into a direct safety risk that cannot be offset by the vehicle’s premium amenities. A malfunctioning brake system undermines confidence in a car marketed as a flagship model.
Dongchedi journalists described the defect as unacceptable, especially for a vehicle positioned at the top of the market. The report emphasizes that that component’s failure would be alarming even in an entry-level model.
JAC responded that no customer-delivered units have reported the problem to date. It announced plans to redesign the part and will provide a free upgrade to existing owners.
Despite the flaw, the V800 remains one of the most feature-rich electric minivans available, combining extended-range capability with a suite of comfort technologies.