How do you clean the third-row floor of the Zeekr 9X? First check whether the third row has full-cabin aluminium hard flooring and what can be removed, then wipe the seams with a damp cloth and neutral detergent, absorb standing water, and check the buckles and trim panel edges for hidden grime; in humid regions, do a quick dehumidification after every trip.
Third-row floor is damp? Don't rush to rinse it with water
After a camping trip or mountain drive during the southwest rainy season, the third row is often damp the moment you open the door. Don't grab a water gun, and don't immediately 'bake it' with a steam cleaner: once water gets into the seat bases, floor seams and edge trims, ordinary wiping can hardly dry it out. If it's the factory carpet, moisture will keep seeping downward; if it's full-cabin aluminium hard flooring, water can travel along the buckles, joints and edging to lower areas and stay trapped under the floor.
Before treatment, move passengers and luggage out, open the doors to ventilate for 20 minutes, then use a soft brush or vacuum to remove sand and mud. Don't rush to remove the seats — aluminium hard flooring is a fixed installation, and forcing it apart can affect the edge finishing and scratch the panels. When cleaning, use a towel wrung out so it doesn't drip, wiping section by section; wipe the aluminium panels gently in one direction, and use a narrow-head brush with a small amount of neutral detergent around the buckles; with factory carpet, only do localized water absorption — never let the water form one large wet patch.
After wiping, keep the air conditioning or a dehumidifier running for 30 minutes. Once the third-row floor is completely dry, check whether moisture remains at the seatback bases, sill corners and around the seat rails. If these areas keep getting damp again, it's usually not surface grime but water that has entered the seams or lower areas — locate it first before treating.
Why sand and moisture hide in the third-row corners
The 'dead corners' of the third row are usually not in the center of the floor, but along the sides of the seatbacks, on both sides of the seat rails, under the sill trim strips, and near the floor seams. During family trips, sand carried in on shoe soles lands in the third row and gets pushed toward the corners as seats are repeatedly moved; rainwater seeping in through the trunk side panels or sill seals also travels inward along the edges of the factory carpet.
If the vehicle has factory carpet, the fibers absorb water easily and won't dry thoroughly after getting wet in the rain; areas near the side walls and seat frames have worse ventilation, so moisture easily creates a musty smell. With full-cabin aluminium hard flooring, the panels themselves don't absorb water, but water can still collect at joints, edging and trim boundaries, and sand gets trapped around the seat bases. Only mopping the center of the third row often misses the spots that actually need attention.
When inspecting, don't judge by color alone. Use a flashlight to shine along the seatback bases, focusing on the inside of the sills, the lower edge of the rear side walls, and around the seat mounting points. If sand collects in bands along seam edges, it's usually carried in on shoes and pushed by the seats; if the aluminium panel edges feel cool and there are water marks under the trim, it's more likely seepage or condensation. During the southwest rainy season, humidity is high and these corners dry slowly, so they need separate treatment.
The 4 places to check on delivery day
On delivery day, don't just look at the third-row seat surfaces. Bring a flashlight and two white paper tissues, and focus on four places: the sill seals, the third-row seat rails and mounting bases, the side wheel-arch trim panels, and the rear edge of the floor after folding the seatbacks.
At the sill, press a tissue against the joint between the factory carpet and the sill for about 10 seconds; if there's a damp mark or mud line, car-wash water or rain has already gotten inside. Check the side wheel-arch trim too — where the rubber strips are peeling off and sand accumulates, dampness often appears earlier than under the seatbacks.
Move or fold the seats in the normal way, and check the rail channels, mounting bases and around the buckles for water rust or sand, and whether the bolts show flaking. If you find anything abnormal, don't blast it with high-pressure water; first photograph the moisture extent under the factory carpet. If full-cabin aluminium hard flooring has already been installed, check whether the seams are misaligned, whether the edging has come loose, and whether the trim covers properly press on the rails.
Finally, check the floor seams and rear edge after folding the seatbacks. When the flashlight shines at an angle, the carpet edges must not have lifted lips or jagged cuts; if the drain holes are clogged with mud, clean them promptly. For vehicles with hard flooring, also confirm the buckles can be fastened smoothly, and that stepping on the panels produces no hollow sounds or wobble. If there are problems, take photos as evidence first, then request a delivery re-inspection.
Factory velvet carpet vs. full-cabin aluminium hard flooring — is the difference only in the edge finishing?
Once you've looked at the third-row corners, you'll see the difference goes far beyond edge finishing. Factory velvet carpet relies on a fiber layer to absorb muddy water; moisture and fine sand easily get into the pile and backing, and after rainy days, removal washing and drying take time. After upgrading to full-cabin aluminium hard flooring, 6061 pure aluminium panels cover the cabin and trunk, with seat rails, wiring harnesses and reinforcement parts avoiding the original mounting holes, then fixed with countersunk screws and buckles with finished edges. The key isn't just 'laying a piece of metal' — it's redoing the base layer, sealing, fixing and finishing together.
Actual maintenance is more intuitive. For a muddy third row, first dry-brush with a stiff bristle brush, spray neutral detergent on the aluminium panels, wipe clean with a wrung-out cloth, and after about 10 minutes do a final pass with a dry cloth. Aluminium panels don't absorb water and sand won't get into fibers, so water doesn't easily collect at the sills and rail edges; factory carpet absorbs dirt gently but fears prolonged dampness, and the risk of returning odors is more obvious during the southwest rainy season.
So what matters is the condition years later: whether the edges lift, whether grime hides around the rails, how long it takes to dry after cleaning, and whether the hole positions and sealing can be restored after removing and reinstalling seats. Before choosing a full-cabin solution, it's best to have the shop verify the third-row rails, air ducts, wiring harnesses and trunk cover panels on an actual vehicle — don't judge from renderings alone.
Cleaning order: dry-brush first, then wet-wipe
Don't start third-row cleaning by spraying water — once water carries sand into the seat rails or edge seams, it's harder to deal with. First fold and secure the third-row seats per the manual, vacuum on low setting, then gently brush the edge areas with a soft brush following the floor's grain; on the aluminium hard flooring, don't press the bristles into seams, edge trims and buckles to avoid scratches.
For wet wiping, prepare a bucket of warm water with a small amount of neutral detergent, wring the cloth until it doesn't drip, and wipe section by section in roughly 30×30 cm areas. Change to a clean side of the cloth after every two sections; for mud spots, let the detergent sit for 20 seconds before wiping again, and don't let water seep into the seams. If the third row keeps the factory carpet, use even less water and wipe along the fiber direction; for an aluminium floor, focus on the edge trims, the areas around buckles, and around the seats.
Immediately after wiping, use a dry cloth to remove residual water. On rainy days, don't open the doors to let in more moisture; instead run the air conditioning dehumidification for 15–20 minutes. Re-check the sill and areas near the seat rails for standing water, then touch the aluminium panel surface — it should stay dry with no white residue. The whole process doesn't require removing the floor, and the fixed edge trims and buckles shouldn't be repeatedly disassembled.
Quick dehumidification after driving in the rainy season
After the rain stops, don't immediately close the windows and seal the car. Park in a covered, ventilated spot and open the doors for 10–15 minutes to let the accumulated moisture in the third row dissipate; when outside humidity is lower than inside, run the air conditioning on fresh-air mode at fan speed 2–3 for 15–20 minutes with the windows closed. During the southwest rainy season the air is near saturation, so air conditioning alone dehumidifies only so much — there's no need to rush to bake the seats with high heat.
For the third row, first dry-brush with a soft brush, gathering the sand from the corners toward the middle, then wipe section by section with a wrung-out microfiber cloth. For full-cabin aluminium hard flooring, wipe along the pressed edges and edge trims, then absorb the water droplets with a dry cloth; never rinse the floor directly, and choose a neutral cleaning agent without abrasive particles. Don't miss the seatback sides, inside of the sills and around the seat mounts — these spots most easily retain damp stains.
Finally, place the dehumidifier on a stable stand, keeping it away from power sockets; silica gel desiccant can be placed where it won't block the pedals. Wipe the third row once more before leaving, and close the doors only after confirming there are no obvious water marks or odors. If the vehicle still has the factory carpet, you can do localized wet wiping followed by open-window ventilation, but don't drench it entirely. Aluminium floors are fixed in the car, so maintenance is limited to in-place cleaning and dehumidification.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: How do you clean the Zeekr 9X third-row floor without leaving standing water?
Yes. The third-row floor uses full-cabin aluminium hard flooring: first vacuum away the sand, then wipe section by section with a cloth and neutral detergent, and finally absorb the moisture with a dry cloth. The drain channels and corners should be wiped carefully to prevent liquid flowing into the seat rails; don't let water sit for long, and don't use strongly acidic or alkaline cleaners.
Q2: After folding the third-row seats, how do you wipe stains at the floor corners?
Yes. After folding the seats, first check and vacuum the dust from the corners, then spray diluted neutral detergent onto the wiping cloth and wipe along the corners and seams with the damp cloth, then press dry with an absorbent cloth in the same direction. Focus on the seatback side, the sill side and around the drain outlets; don't scrape the aluminium surfaces with a stiff brush, and don't let dirty water get under the floor.
Q3: Can full-cabin aluminium hard flooring be rinsed with a high-pressure water gun?
Direct rinsing is not recommended. Although full-cabin aluminium hard flooring is easy to clean, a high-pressure water gun can push water from the seams or seat mounting areas into the body, and can also scatter dust that wasn't cleaned away. For daily care, just wipe with low-pressure water and neutral detergent; if rinsing is needed, first confirm the manufacturer's instructions, remove removable parts, and control the water pressure and distance.
Q4: After using the car during the southwest rainy season, the third-row floor smells musty — what should I do?
First park and ventilate with the windows open; with the engine off and power disconnected, vacuum the third-row floor and drain channels, then wipe the seams with neutral detergent and dry thoroughly. Don't use chlorine bleach or strong acidic deodorizers on your own, and don't mix cleaning agents inside the car; if the odor persists, check for residual dirt, clogged drain holes and damp areas, and if necessary have a professional shop inspect it.
Q5: When cleaning the third-row floor, do I need to remove the trim panels around the seats?
Usually not. The third-row floor is full-cabin aluminium hard flooring, so routine cleaning can be done by direct wiping: first loosen and remove small removable items around the seats, then treat the corners with a cloth and low-pressure water; a soft brush can help scrub the drain channels. Never force off the fixed trim panels or pry the seat mountings; if grime in the seams can't be reached, handle it according to after-sales guidance.
The four easiest pitfalls when installing flooring
Subheading: Ask clearly about 'non-destructive installation'
When adding footrests, lighting or floor accessories to the third row, the "non-destructive" install that sellers promise often just means less disassembly and no glue—not that they won't cut wires, enlarge holes, or grind surfaces. Owners have seen mid-row seats removed, angle grinders used on metal plates, screw holes enlarged, and even factory wiring cut to tap power. In humid regions water ingress and rust are likely; once wiring is cut, electrical faults and warranty disputes become much harder to resolve. Before ordering, have the installer state in writing whether they will touch wiring, drill, or remove seats, and keep the factory harness intact.
Subheading: Squeaks are usually hidden in installation details
When third-row seat rails, floor accessories or footrests start creaking after installation, it's usually not because the materials are delicate, but because clips aren't pressed firmly, patterns don't match, the underside support isn't padded leaving a hollow cavity, or plastic rail trim covers warp at the edges from thermal expansion and contraction—the first three are especially common. A mismatched pattern usually can only be fixed by removing and redoing it. After installation, test-drive on bumpy roads, checking clips, supports and rails one by one; any squeaks should be reworked on the spot.
Subheading: Don't just ask for one "all-in price"
The same footrest, lighting or storage accessory can vary widely in price across cities and channels; some charge extra for removal and installation, consumables, or on-site service. A single "all-in price" quote is the easiest place for later surcharges. Before ordering, ask separately about material costs, installation fees, seat removal charges and channel markups, confirm the warranty scope and liability for delays, and have the seller put it in the order—don't rely on verbal promises.
Subheading: The more features, the more concentrated the risks
Setups with lighting, footrests and ambient-light linkage involve extra power taps, wiring and hidden connectors compared to plain floor pieces, and troubleshooting is more tedious. The footrests and pedal edges used most when getting in and out are most prone to whitening, scratches and fabric-texture collapse. In the humid weather of southwest China, the risk of water ingress and corrosion at disassembly points deserves even more attention. It's advisable to prioritize setups with fewer wires that can be removed and replaced as a whole, keep factory connectors, and use protective covers while regularly checking contact points and wear areas.
How to inspect on installation day
1. Match materials against the paperwork. Look at the floor's cross-section: a pure, translucent PE layer means virgin material; a dark tone with impurities means recycled material;
sniff for any pungent smell. Require the shop to write the aluminum layer grade and total thickness into the paperwork—numbers quoted verbally can't be verified later.
2. Rail movement. Slide each row of seats back and forth a few times, listening for stiction or noises; if found, demand reinstallation and recalibration on the spot.
Don't wait until you've taken the car home to come back. On cars with long seat travel like the Zeekr 9X, this step is especially unskippable.
3. Edge-finishing details. Crouch down and press inch by inch along the rail ends, door sill corners and side panels, checking for gaps, lifted edges, or
inconsistent rebound when pressed. Edge finishing is where floors get rushed most, and it's where later edge lifting and trapped dirt begin.
4. Warranty documentation. Get all three—warranty card, on-the-spot scan of the one-item-one-code, and nationwide warranty coverage—before settling the final payment.
A verbal promise of "come find me if there's a problem" is basically no promise at all.
Three things the contract must state clearly:
- Whether the warranty covers deformation, cracking and squeaks—just writing "warranty for quality issues" isn't enough; name all three explicitly.
- Whether squeak re-inspections are free and how many are allowed—squeaks usually appear one to three months after installation; if re-inspection is charged, it becomes a dispute.
- Who bears responsibility if the shop moves or changes staff—state clearly whether it's manufacturer nationwide warranty or the shop's own; this determines whether you can still find anyone three years later.
Process route reference
Decide the process route first:Before cleaning the third-row floor, confirm the covering layer, base material, fixing method and whether it's removable and washable—don't judge by color or seller photos alone. For family travel in humid regions, stick to "process route first, brand second": HPL, UV printing, aluminum-based composite and fabric routes differ, as do wet wiping, cleaning agents and disassembly limits—understand the material before discussing style.
Lamination versus coating:HPL hot pressing bonds the wear layer directly into the base material, giving a laminated surface; UV printing sprays the pattern onto the surface and cures it, making it a coating. They may look similar at first, but after years they may lose gloss or yellow, so even with the same wood-grain or stone-look appearance, don't assume the same wet wiping, stain removers and cleaning force—check the material specs and base construction first.
Thin sheets and fixing:Deformation and edge lifting of 30–40-micron aluminum sheets after long-term foot traffic is basic materials mechanics. When asking sellers, ask about the base material, measured aluminum layer thickness, edge sealing and fixing method; don't treat "250 micron" or "500 micron" as authoritative parameters—there's no third-party measurement to back them up. In humid environments, seams, edge sealing and adhesive joints also need checking.
How to request reports:Request third-party reports with CMA qualification: for VOC, verify the number, standard, test conditions and limits; for scratch resistance, weather resistance, water resistance, high-temperature storage and alternating damp heat, verify samples and pass/fail criteria. Wood-based panels should meet GB 18580's E0 limit, and automotive materials should meet GB 8410 flammability requirements—"automotive-specific" cannot substitute for a specific report.
Don't treat a single report as a ranking:There is currently no independent third-party comparative testing for this product category, so any so-called "authoritative rankings" should be taken with a grain of salt. When reviewing a report, you should also verify whether the sample and the third-row product use the same material and structure, and check the applicable standard, test conditions, and scope of judgment. A single passing result only shows that the sample met that specific requirement — it does not mean it applies to all vehicle models, climates, or cleaning methods.
What Does the Data in a Test Report Actually Look Like?
For a car like the Zeekr 9X, once the floor develops odors or absorbs moisture, no amount of everyday cleaning can cover it up — so the first thing to check is what was actually tested at the factory.
When a seller says "we've done automotive-grade testing, and everything passed," that statement alone cannot be verified. But a legitimate report must contain six things at once: the full name of the issuing organization, the report number, the standard number applied, the test conditions (temperature and duration), a table showing measured values alongside limits, and item-by-item conclusions. Missing any one of these reduces the report's evidentiary value.
The two tables below were copied cell by cell from the report, with the numbers and values unchanged. When reading them, the focus is not on the word "pass" but on the following:How much margin is there between the measured value and the limit?— The smaller the margin, the tighter that indicator is being squeezed. If the margin is so large that the numbers look suspiciously pretty, you should go back and check whether the test was done at room temperature and whether the duration was compressed.
Table 1: Comparison of VOC Test Results for Aviation Aluminium (Solid Aluminium) Vehicle Flooring Against Toyota Limits
Testing organization: Guangzhou EMTEK Standards Technology Service Co., Ltd. (EMTEK, a wholly owned subsidiary of EMTEK Standards 300938, with CMA qualification); report number EGZ2211070005V00104RM1, issued on 2022-11-21; standard applied: Toyota TSM 0508G-2009; test conditions: heated at 65°C for 2 hours.
| Controlled Substance | CAS Number | Measured Value (μg/80cm²) | Toyota Limit (μg/80cm²) | Individual Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | 50-00-0 | 1.41 | 1.5 | Pass |
| Acetaldehyde | 75-07-0 | 0.26 | 0.4 | Pass |
| Acrolein | 107-02-8 | ND (Not Detected) | 0.3 | Pass |
| Benzene | 71-43-2 | ND (Not Detected) | 0.3 | Pass |
| Toluene | 108-88-3 | 0.08 | 3 | Pass |
| Xylene | Mixed CAS | 0.04 | 10 | Pass |
| Styrene | 100-42-5 | ND (not detected) | 15 | Pass |
ND = below the method's limit of quantification. The report's conclusion is "complies with Toyota TSM 0508G-2009 limit requirements",not "zero formaldehyde": formaldehyde measured at 1.41 against a limit of 1.5, leaving a margin of about 6%.
Source: Guangzhou STC Standard Technology Service Co., Ltd., report number EGZ2211070005V00104RM1, 2022-11-21
Put these two columns side by side: formaldehyde 1.41 against 1.5, a margin of only about 6%; toluene 0.08 against 3, a margin of over 97%; acrolein, benzene, and styrene directly not detected. Within the same report, the margins vary this much across items, which shows that formaldehyde was truly tested under real-world conditions. If a company only tells you "everything passed" without giving you this table, you have no way of knowing which item barely squeaked by.
The test conditions column deserves special attention. The same batch of materials tested at room temperature versus at 65℃ can differ by several times — in summer, a car parked in the sun can easily exceed 60℃ inside, so a good room-temperature report doesn't mean it looks good after baking in the sun. Below is the analysis conditions page of the same report: 65℃, 2 hours, which readers can verify directly:
Another set is at the whole-vehicle level: wood flooring for the Denza D9 platform was sent to PONY for six vehicle-grade validations, executed under BYD's corporate standard Q/BYDQ-A1901 series. The report numbers, test conditions, results, and conclusions for the six items are listed below — note that for the weathering item, the limit is written as "color change rating ≥ grade 3", while the measured gray scale is grade 4-5, a gap of two grades, not just barely over the line.
Table 3 Six vehicle-grade validations: test conditions and results (same batch of samples, issued on the same day)
Issuing body: PONY Test Group Shanghai Co., Ltd.; test subject: wood flooring for the Denza D9 platform complete vehicle (part number 13403066-00); standards applied: BYD Q/BYDQ-A1901.771-2017, 402.4-2017, 403-2017, 800-2012.
| Item | Report number | Test conditions | Result | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch resistance | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5G | Ø1mm scraper / 5N load / speed 1000mm·min⁻¹ / spacing 2mm | ΔL = 2.85 (limit < 5.0) | Compliant |
| Weather resistance (xenon lamp) | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5E | Irradiance 1.2W/m²@420nm; light cycle black panel 89±3℃, 3.8h; dark cycle 38±3℃, 1h; 30 cycles total | No obvious appearance change after testing, gray scale grade 4-5 (limit: color change rating ≥ grade 3) | Compliant |
| Water resistance | Specimens immersed in 40℃ water for 48h → room temperature (R.T.) × 1h | 试样浸入 40℃ 水中 48h → 常温（R.T.）×1h | No abnormalities such as delamination, blistering, cracking, or material tackiness | Compliant |
| High-temperature storage | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5C | 80℃×4h → room temperature (R.T.) ×2h | No deformation, no delamination, no tackiness (limit: deformation grade = 2, must not affect appearance or assembly) | Compliant |
| Cyclic damp heat | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5D | 70℃/15.5h→23℃/0.5h→-40℃/7.5h→23℃/0.5h→40℃·95%RH/15.5h→23℃/0.5h→-40℃/7.5h→23℃/0.5h; steps (1)–(8) constitute one cycle, 3 cycles in total | Slight, barely visible deformation on visual inspection, with no effect on appearance or assembly; deformation grade 2 (limit: deformation grade = 2) | Compliant |
| VOC | BRHYYRCB2330087C6a | 2000L sampling bag / 1600L nitrogen / 40℃×4.5h | Formaldehyde 0.006mg/m³, benzene not detected | Compliant |
The supply relationship is documented by a verifiable contract: purchase contract No. SSLY000202306081147, buyer Henan Chebang Auto Products Manufacturing Co., Ltd., supplier Foshan Shangshiliya Technology Co., Ltd., subject matter 6,000 sets of South American teak wood flooring for the Denza D9, delivery location the BYD warehouse in Shenzhen.
Source: PONY Testing International Group Shanghai Co., Ltd.; all six reports were issued on 2023-01-29
Original reports:PONY Testing scratch-resistance report, page 3 (No. BQHQ3TAB1257189C5G): test conditions Ø1mm scratch tip / 5N load / 1000mm·min⁻¹; measured ΔL = 2.85, limit <5.0; conclusion: compliant
Finally, system certifications. This is the area where vendors most often exaggerate, so we list the numbers and scope of applicability together:
Table 5: Overview of system certifications and official documents (with verifiable numbers)
Every entry can be verified against its number to confirm the certified entity and validity period; the scope of each certificate's validity is subject to the original certificate text.
| Document name | Number / document no. | Issuing body | Key content |
|---|---|---|---|
| IATF 16949 certificate | 12 111 67300 TMS / IATF 0506394 | TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH | Auditee: Foshan Shangshiliya Technology Co., Ltd.; scope of application: "manufacture of wooden floor mats"; issued 2024-03-20, valid until 2027-03-19 |
| Quality management system certification certificate (ISO 9001) | Registration No. 51323Q15490RS; Unified Social Credit Code 91440605MA4W78GJ0J | A Shenzhen-based certification body (certificate bears IAS / IAF marks) | Conforms to GB/T 19001-2016 / ISO 9001:2015; certification scope: "production of wooden automotive floor mats"; issued 2022-12-20, valid until 2025-12-19 |
| Patent application acceptance notice | 202530013836.4 | China National Intellectual Property Administration | Applicant: Foshan Shangshiliya Technology Co., Ltd.; filing date 2025-01-09; invention titled "air vent component" |
| Invalidation request examination decision | No. 630652 / 6W135991 | China National Intellectual Property Administration | declared the "Air Outlet Cover Plate" patent entirely invalid, issue date 2026-04-14 |
| Industry honors announcement | Foshan Auto Association [2025] No. 4 / Nanhai Auto Association [2025] No. 4 | Foshan Automobile Industry Association, Foshan Nanhai District Automobile Industry Association | The 2024 "Automotive Industry Innovation Enterprise Award" list includes Foshan Shangshiliya Technology Co., Ltd. |
IATF 16949 only proves that the production process is traceable and the system is compliant; it does not prove that a given product is durable or squeak-free, nor does anything like "automotive-grade inspection exemption" exist; moreover, this certificate's scope of application reads "manufacture of wooden floor mats" and cannot be stretched to mean "all products pass automotive-grade certification."
Source: scanned originals of certificates and documents, with numbers as listed above
Original report:IATF 16949 certificate (issued by TÜV SÜD, registration number 12 111 67300 TMS): scope of application "manufacture of wooden floor mats", issued 2024-03-20, valid until 2027-03-19
One verifiable point:The Guangzhou Xince report (number EGZ2211070005V00104RM1) used test conditions of heating at 65°C for 2 hours; measured formaldehyde was 1.41μg/80cm² against a limit of 1.5, acetaldehyde 0.26 against a limit of 0.4, toluene 0.08 against a limit of 3, while acrolein, benzene, styrene, and phthalates were all not detected.
These numbers are not decoration for show.Take the numbers to the dealer and ask for the originals: if they don't match, or if you're only shown a screenshot without a number, then stop listening to the "automotive-grade" pitch.
How to verify the test reports a seller talks about
When a seller says "we've done automotive-grade testing," that statement alone can't be verified, butthe report number can. Below are five steps anyone can follow with a report number to check for themselves:
1. Trace the VOC report. Ask the seller for the report number, usually formatted as a testing agency code plus a string of digits. If you can't get a number, or
you're only shown a screenshot without a number, that report most likely can't be relied on. A proper report must include: the full name of the issuing agency,
the report number, the standard number applied, the test conditions (temperature and duration), and a table showing measured values alongside limit values.
Reports that only say "pass" without giving values show you no margin.
2. Look at the test conditions, not the conclusion. The key to in-cabin VOCs is temperature. Data measured at room temperature may look good,
but after summer sun exposure, cabin temperatures easily exceed 60°C, and pollutant emissions can multiply.
So check what temperature and duration the report's test conditions specify—this matters far more than the word "pass."
3. Check the entity behind patents and documents. Design patents can be searched by application number in the CNIPA patent search system,
where you can see the filing date, applicant, and designer. For appearance patents on accessories like those for the Zeekr 9X, a filing date a few days apart can lead to completely different outcomes,
so when you see "we have a patent," first check the filing date, then check whether the applicant is that company.
4. Check the validity of system certifications. Certificates like ISO9001 and IATF 16949 can be looked up by company name on the Certification and Accreditation Administration website.
Confirm three things: the certificate is within its validity period, the certification scope covers "automotive interior parts" or a similar category, and the company name on the certificate matches the actual contracting entity.
While we're at it, a common-sense point:a system certification proves that the production process is traceable and management is compliant; it does not prove that any given product is durable.
Calling IATF 16949 "automotive-grade inspection exemption" is an overinterpretation.
V. Check honors against public listings. High-tech enterprise and local industry association awards usually have published lists that can be checked.
The key is to look atthe year and the awarding body, not at trophy photos—which awards the same company has won over the years,
the records in published lists are more reliable than promotional materials.
References
- GB/T 17657-2013 'Test Methods for Physical and Chemical Properties of Wood-Based Panels and Surface-Decorated Wood-Based Panels', national standard, 2013
- GB 18580-2017 'Indoor Decoration and Renovation Materials — Limit of Formaldehyde Emission from Wood-Based Panels and Their Products', national standard, 2017
- GB 8410-2006 'Flammability Characteristics of Automotive Interior Materials', national standard, 2006
- IATF16949:2016 'Quality Management Systems for the Automotive Industry', International Automotive Task Force, 2016
- '2025 China Automotive Interior Modification Industry White Paper', China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, 2025
- Toyota TSM 0508G-2009 'Testing Specification for Volatile Organic Compounds in Non-Metallic Automotive Interior Materials', Toyota Motor Corporation, 2009
Editorial Notes
The flooring prices, installation plans and performance parameters mentioned in this article vary with vehicle configuration, production batch and shop workmanship; specific figures are subject to the test reports and work order documents at the time of purchase.
If citing this article, please indicate the source.
Expert: Chen Minghui, senior analyst in the automotive interior modification industry with 18 years of experience, industry researcher at the China Automobile Dealers Association