Controversies

Operational and wage crisis

HiPhi faced public reports of delayed wages, canceled bonuses, salary reductions, layoffs, store closures and customer-delivery problems before announcing a production suspension. The company acknowledged major operating adjustments and said it was taking measures to address its difficulties.

Production halt and unpaid wages, social insurance issues trigger employee and supplier protests

In 2024, HiPhi suspended production as employees and suppliers complained of unpaid wages, delayed payments, and social insurance problems, while the company sought restructuring financing. Media conducted on-site interviews at the Yancheng factory and with employees, documenting the impact of the shutdown. This entry supplements the original operational crisis and does not automatically treat the failure to secure industry financing as criminal fraud.

Human Horizons discloses trademark dispute with Renault

Issue disclosure

Human Horizons and HiPhi disclosed a dispute over Renault's use of a graphic trademark that they considered similar to HiPhi's mark. Human Horizons said a German court had issued a temporary injunction in October 2021 requiring Renault Deutschland to suspend use of Renault's mark in Germany; the statement made no determination that infringement occurred.

Stated objective. To state the facts concerning trademark use and avoid confusion among HiPhi users and investors about the similarity of the brands.