Neta Aya: EV Battery Failures and Supply Shortages

A Neta Aya (Neta V) owner in China has shared her frustration online after her car’s driving range dropped to a shocking 40 KM, less than two years after purchase.

Ms. He, the vehicle owner, posted a video on Chinese social media detailing her ordeal, highlighting concerns about the brand's after-sales service.

She purchased the 401 KM range variant of the Neta Aya in May 2023 for RMB76,000 (RM47,000). This model is equipped with a 38.5 kWh NMC battery and a 95 HP electric motor. However, after a recent winter, the car’s range plummeted dramatically to just 60 KM.

Seeking assistance, she brought the car to a Neta 4S center in Anji. There, she learned that the high-voltage battery had failed and required replacement. Compounding her troubles, the dealership where she initially bought the car from had already shut down.

The 4S center confirmed the issue but revealed that the necessary battery pack was not in stock. Despite contacting Neta’s headquarters multiple times, the dealership received no concrete timeline for when a replacement battery would be available.

Ms. He’s attempts to resolve the issue through Neta’s customer service hotline yielded the same vague response, with no definitive date for the battery’s arrival. In the meantime, her car’s range has dropped even further, now only able to cover 40 km.

As a temporary solution, the service center provided her with a replacement scooter, while hinting that the battery may only arrive "after New Year", unclear whether this refers to the Jan 29 Chinese New Year.

Neta, a brand under Hozon Auto, has faced significant challenges in recent months. Reports of mass layoffs, pay cuts, and a factory closure have raised concerns about the company’s stability. Founder Fang Yunzhou has recently taken over the CEO role to save the company.

In its “10 Predictions For 2025” editorial, CarNewsChina predicted that Neta may be among the major automotive brands to collapse by Q1 2025.

Adding to the brand's woes, the ASEAN NCAP recently awarded a zero-star safety rating to the fully imported Neta V units intended for regional markets such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei.

Ms. He’s ordeal has put a spotlight on Neta’s customer service and quality assurance issues. The combination of vehicle failures, unfulfilled warranty claims, and the company’s broader struggles underscores the risks faced by both current and prospective Neta customers.