BYD Korea's 'Dolphin Roadshow' promotional truck, illegal lighting device controversy... "I'm turning it off when it's live."

*This content was translated by AI.

BYD Korea's promotional truck for the "BYD Dolphin Roadshow," which is underway in major cities across the country ahead of the launch of its electric vehicle "Dolphin," has been embroiled in controversy over the violation of the Automobile Management Act. It is pointed out that the exhibition method using colorful lighting is likely to have violated safety standards under the current law.

▲ Gorgeous lights, poison for 'safety'... Violation of the obligation to install illegal equalizer

The controversial part is the interior lighting of the wingbody truck carrying the BYD Dolphin model. According to the photo provided by BYD Korea, the truck is operating with purple and pink high-intensity LED lights installed inside the cargo box, which has been converted into a transparent showcase.

According to the "2024 TS Automobile Tuning Business Manual" and the "Rules on the Performance and Standards of Automobiles and Automobile Parts," unapproved unstructured equalization devices cannot be installed on automobiles. In particular, Article 107 (restrictions on other equalizers) strictly prohibits the installation of equalizers that may interfere with the driver's vision or cause glare to other drivers. Strong colored lights emitted during night driving can distract drivers around them and confuse them with emergency vehicles' warning lights or taillights, which are pointed out as a cause of traffic accidents.

▲ Whether to 'approve a structural change' is also key... Subject to criminal punishment for unauthorized tuning

The act of changing the appearance of the vehicle and adding a lighting device to the loading box is subject to "tuning approval" under Article 34 of the Automobile Management Act. It corresponds to a change in code B09 (device) or 107 (structure) in the manual and must be approved by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority. If the vehicle was modified and driven on the road without separate approval, it could face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.

In addition, the use of lighting in advertisements using transportation means is prohibited or strictly restricted due to light pollution and traffic safety hindrance in accordance with Article 19 of the Enforcement Decree of the Outdoor Advertisement Act.

In response, an official from BYD Korea said, "The lighting device of the promotional truck is the lighting inside the vehicle and thus has not been approved separately. The purple lights inside the truck's loading box and the lights reflected on the road are just directing photos to promote new cars. Looking purple is only to maximize the production effect. "When I actually run on the road, I turn off the lights and run like a normal transparent box car for consignment," he explained.

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*This content was translated by AI.