For budgeting the BYD Tang floor upgrade, the core principle is to allocate seventy percent to implementable aluminum hard flooring, twenty percent to waterproof edge finishing, and ten percent as reserve for sealing and replacements. First verify the actual coverage area of the factory floor; for damp camping, do the front row and cargo area first, and complete the rear row based on how many people regularly ride there.
Damp camping in big cities: first understand the floor pain points
In first-tier cities, once the plum rain season arrives, the biggest hassle after a camping trip is often not outside the car but the moisture that gear carries inside. Muddy water from stream-trekking shoes lands first on the front footwell, and drips from raincoats flow under the seats to the floor seams; the Tang's rear row and cargo area usually hold folding chairs and storage boxes—a 30-centimeter-tall box being moved in and out repeatedly scrapes its bottom across the sill. The factory carpet doesn't dry thoroughly once soaked, fine sand lodges between the fibers, and on rainy days opening the door makes the musty smell even more noticeable.
The problem with wet gear isn't only on the surface. The cargo sill crease, low points near the seat rails, and places where wiring harnesses pass through are all spots where standing water and sediment like to hide. After two or three weeks of consecutive camping, localized areas may already be damp and smelly; wiping at that point only handles the surface, while moisture remains inside the factory carpet and structural layers. If edges have been pried up by hard objects, cleaning becomes even harder.
So choosing aluminum hard flooring isn't about changing the color of the original floor—it's about whether it can connect the front row, rear row, and cargo area into a wipeable whole, reducing the long-term retention of moisture, sediment, and condensation. Whether the Tang suits a full-cabin or zoned installation depends on first verifying the seat layout, floor contours, mounting points, and harness positions. Don't assume based on it being an SUV, and don't force an MPV solution onto it.
Why is aluminum full-cabin hard flooring better suited to long-term camping?
For damp camping in big cities, the most annoying thing isn't mud picked up on the road, but the moisture, sediment, and food crumbs brought in on shoes that stay in the factory carpet after the trip home. Once carpet fibers absorb water, odors and mildew keep festering underfoot; aluminum hard flooring uses a non-hygroscopic HPL laminated surface over an aluminum base—when mud lands on it, two minutes with a wet cloth plus a dry wipe cleans it far more efficiently.
Long-term camping is about stable performance after repeated use. Riverside gravel, campsite mud, and cookie crumbs dropped by kids can all be dealt with on the spot; seams with wrapped-edge finishing reduce places where dirt can hide. Provided the fixings are reliable, hard flooring won't sink, curl, or loosen locally when bearing seat loads or when luggage is dragged across it.
For an SUV like the Tang, if a full-cabin installation is confirmed, the area from the front row to the cargo zone can be unified into one hard layer, so cleanup after a trip needs no zone-by-zone care. Hard flooring solves underfoot moisture resistance, easy cleaning, and structural stability—it does not mean the whole car is waterproof. Door seals, drain holes, and chassis residue still need to be checked item by item at pickup.
First confirm the structure: is the Tang a full-cabin or zoned installation?
Don't take "the Tang is an SUV" as proof of full-cabin flooring. Being an SUV only defines the body shape; what really matters is the interior structure at pickup: whether the front footwell, rear floor, and cargo area share the same workable surface, and whether seat mounting points, wiring harnesses, and HVAC ducts allow continuous aluminum installation after disassembly. If front row, rear row, and cargo area are formed in one piece, the quote should list the three zones, seams, and edge wrapping separately; if only the front and rear sections are done with the rear row keeping the factory carpet, that's a zoned installation and cannot be called full-cabin hard flooring.
At the shop, it's best to have the installer remove the seats on the spot to inspect the floor, not just look at showroom samples. Focus on checking that the seat mounting bolt holes, harnesses, drains, and seat latches retain serviceable access, and mark each hole position one by one. Any openings and fixings involving the original structure must yield to actual positions—don't press panels directly over connectors just to save labor.
For damp camping, edges matter most: the aluminum panels themselves don't absorb water, but if seams, bolt holes, and wall edges are left as bare butt joints, moisture can still reach the factory carpet. When inspecting the floor, press the seams with your fingers to confirm sealing; drainage channels must not be blocked by panels or trim strips. The final quote should be based on templates made from the Tang's actual floor and seat layout—calculate the budget only after confirming the coverage area; don't accept a price quoted per imaginary square meter.
Divide the budget like this: seventy percent for flooring, twenty percent for finishing, ten percent as reserve
Don't split the budget arbitrarily among panels, trim strips, and labor—divide it by delivery risk. The full budget can reference the 6,980-26,800 yuan range, subject to the shop's retail prices: seventy percent for the aluminum panels, base leveling, cutting and openings, and fixings; twenty percent for edge wrapping, locks, finishing, and sound deadening; the remaining ten percent for drain cleaning, harness routing, local reinforcement, and re-inspection. On a 26,800 yuan job, that's roughly 18,760, 5,360, and 2,680 yuan. Prioritize 6061 pure aluminum for the main panels, and don't skimp on thickness and reinforcement pieces.
Money should go first to underfoot and the cargo area. The front footwell, rear seat mounting zones, and cargo area are priorities; for full-cabin installation, include the actual area; for zoned installation, price only the verified zones. An SUV needn't copy MPV solutions like hidden rails or second-row trim covers—don't put unverified structures into the budget.
Damp camping most easily exposes misaligned holes, over-tightened harness clips, and insufficient edge sealing. Use that ten percent reserve only after on-site confirmation, for handling drainage paths and local reinforcement. At sign-off, stomp and press along every section, push and pull the seats, then check edges and hole positions—it's cheaper than rework later.
Flooring funds go first to the front cabin and cargo area; top up the rear row by headcount
After executing the total budget at seventy percent flooring, twenty percent finishing, ten percent reserve, don't spread the seventy percent evenly across the whole car. The front cabin and cargo area should take the lion's share: coming back from a damp campsite, umbrellas, water shoes, and wet folding tables often bring water into the car, and the driver's seat sees the most repeated stomping. After removing the seats, complete the aluminum paneling, edge pressing, and fixing of these two zones first, and leave no curled edges at the sills.
Specifically, about three-quarters of the seventy percent flooring budget can go to the front cabin and cargo area, with the remaining quarter allocated by the number of regular rear passengers. If two people usually sit in the back, focus on finishing the second-row sill and center aisle; if only one person uses it long-term, the quota saved on low-use seats can be shifted to the cargo area. If the Tang gets a full-cabin installation, the rear row is still fully covered—you don't save money by covering less, but by adjusting the work order so low-traffic areas don't delay the front cabin's delivery.
The full-cabin solution's shop retail price is 6,980-26,800 yuan, subject to the shop's retail pricing. After returning to the city, wipe off mud and water with a damp cloth, focusing on whether sand is trapped in panel seams and edge finishing; the floor stays fixed in the car—don't remove whole panels to rinse them.
On pickup day, check these 4 spots: structure, fixings, drainage, wiring
On pickup day, don't just look at color and tidiness—verify four things in the garage: structure, fixings, drainage, and wiring. Open the front and rear doors and confirm whether the delivered state is continuous flooring from the front cabin to the cargo area or separate front and rear sections. Walk along the sills, seat rail areas, and cargo area, and check that the aluminum panel coverage matches the quote. If it's only a zoned installation, don't accept it as a full-cabin result—mark the seam positions and exposed edges.
Fixings come down to actual tightness. Press sideways with your shoe sole across seams and edges, then press around the seat mounting bases—the panel must not visibly wobble, screws should sit flush in the panel, and trim strips must not curl or scratch. In damp weather, also check the wiper splash zone, air conditioning condensate outlets, and cargo area drain holes, confirming that the aluminum panels and edge finishing haven't sealed off water paths, and no mud-collecting grooves remain at the sill edges.
Wiring must not be neglected. Space should be left under the seats, in the footwell, and near the rear bulkhead for factory harnesses and connectors—connectors must not be crushed and wire clips must not fall off. Harnesses involved in seat removal must be repositionable to their original locations; on-site wire cutting or drilling is not recommended. If problems are found, photograph and mark them on the spot, confirm whether it calls for redoing edge finishing, adjusting fixing points, or changing coverage, and only then sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is the BYD Tang's factory floor a full-cabin hard surface, or does it only cover the front row and cargo area?
The factory floor is not a unified full-cabin hard structure: the front row and cargo area have usable hard substrates, while the rear footwell also includes seats, rails, and sound-deadening structures. Don't mistake the factory base covering for aluminum hard flooring. Before installation, verify the floor, drainage, and fixing conditions zone by zone.
Q2: On a limited budget, how should funds for aluminum hard flooring be allocated between the front row, rear row, and cargo area?
With a limited budget, allocate roughly 30% to the front row, 25% to the rear row, and 45% to the cargo area. The cargo area bears moisture, muddy water, and bathing supplies, so prioritize drainable aluminum panels and press strips there; the front row only needs the footwell and mounting areas treated; the rear row should avoid seat rails and safety components and keep the factory structure—if staged installation is possible, don't cover the whole cabin at once.
Q3: Can aluminum hard flooring be installed directly over the battery and high-voltage harness areas of an electric SUV?
No direct installation. The battery pack, high-voltage harnesses, and connectors are sensitive zones for thermal runaway, insulation, and servicing; aluminum conducts heat and electricity, so panels must not be casually laid, drilled, or fitted with fixings above them. You must first obtain the model's harness and battery layout drawings, leave safety clearances, heat insulation, and abrasion protection per the manufacturer's boundaries, and have professionals confirm the workable zones.
Q4: After camping in a damp city, there's standing water under the cargo area's aluminum panels—where should you check first?
First determine where the water is entering, then check whether it can't drain from under the panels: inspect the tailgate opening, hinge side, and quarter panel seams for leaks, and clean and unclog the factory drain holes; then check whether the panel seams, sill sealing, and edge press strips have formed water-trapping troughs. If water keeps accumulating, disassemble and inspect the low seams—don't just cover it with another layer of aluminum.
Q5: On pickup day, how do you check that panel thickness, fixings, and edge press strips are all in place?
At the shop, inspect against the confirmed specification sheet: use calipers to spot-check panel thickness and verify the panel markings; check each fixing point for completeness, tightness, and no stripped threads, with no cracks pressed around bolt countersinks; then check that edge press strips are continuous, flat, and free of curled seams, and confirm that drain holes and factory service openings haven't been sealed shut.
The four most common pitfalls when installing flooring
"Non-invasive installation" isn't truly non-invasive:When adding step boards to this SUV, the seller's "non-invasive" usually means no major teardown and no adhesive, while owners understand it as no wire cutting, no hole enlargement, and no grinding. Removing second-row seats, grinding seat metal brackets with an angle grinder, enlarging screw holes, and tapping into the factory wiring for power have all happened. After wires are cut, the risk of electrical faults and warranty disputes rises. Before damp camping, confirm every modification item by item—use an independent circuit with a fuse if possible rather than tapping the factory wiring, and agree on warranty boundaries in writing.
Most rattles come from the installation stage:Clips not pressed down firmly, pattern mismatch, hollow cavities from unsupported bottom backing, and plastic rail trim covers warping from thermal expansion and contraction are the four recurring causes found on forums and in long write-up post-mortems. Pattern mismatch usually means a full redo. Before taking delivery, check at low speed over speed bumps and uneven campground surfaces; if you hear clicks or resonance, locate it on the spot and demand the clips be re-pressed, the support re-backed, or a matching pattern re-installed.
The pricing system can't be judged by total price alone:The same floor mat can vary by up to a thousand yuan between different stores in tier-one cities, online channels, and aftermarket shops, with some charging extra for installation, removal, or consumables. Before ordering, ask item by item about material cost, template cutting fees, installation fees, shipping, and channel markups, and have the salesperson write them into the order. If mid-row seat removal, wiring work, or hole drilling is added later, confirm first whether the cost and warranty are affected.
More features mean more failure points:Versions with lighting, footrests, or ambient light integration usually add an extra power tap, wiring run, and hidden connectors; in humid environments you should also recheck wiring for moisture, oxidized contacts, and post-wading insulation. Footrests and mats are high-frequency touch points when getting in and out, so they whiten, scratch, and develop fabric-texture collapse most easily. When choosing, keep only the features you truly need, and require that the mat, leather surface, or anti-slip parts be individually replaceable; after camping, wipe them dry and inspect promptly.
How to inspect on installation day
1. Match the materials against the paperwork. Look at the floor's cross-section: a pure, clear PE layer means virgin material; a dull look with impurities means recycled material;
sniff for any pungent odor. Require the store to write the aluminum layer grade and total thickness into the paperwork—verbally quoted numbers can't be verified afterward.
2. Rail interaction. Slide each row of seats back and forth a few times and listen for stiction or abnormal noises; if found, demand reinstallation and recalibration on the spot—
don't wait until you've taken the car home. On cars like the BYD Tang with long seat travel, this step is especially not to be skipped.
3. Edge finishing details. Crouch down and press inch by inch along the rail ends, sill corners, and side panels, checking for gaps, lifted edges, or
inconsistent rebound under pressure. Edge finishing is where floors are most often rushed, and it's the starting point for later edge lifting and trapped dirt.
4. Warranty documentation. Warranty card, on-the-spot scan of the one-item-one-code, and nationwide warranty coverage—get all three in hand before settling the balance.
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 abnormal noises—"quality defects covered" isn't enough; name these three items explicitly in writing.
- whether re-inspection for abnormal noises is free, and how many times—noises usually appear one to three months after installation; if re-inspection costs money, it becomes endless haggling.
- who is responsible if the store moves away or changes staff—specify whether it's a manufacturer-backed nationwide warranty or a store-only guarantee; this determines whether you can still find anyone three years later.
Process route reference
Decide the process route first, the brand second:For humid camping, the budget shouldn't first be split by brand but partitioned by process: in non-aluminum paved zones prone to collecting mud and water, choose removable, moisture-resistant structures; for the driver's area, look at lamination or coating; for the trunk, prioritize waterproof base materials; reserve budget for edge strips and clip replacement; only then compare styles and prices within the same process.
Hot-pressing and printing are not the same thing:HPL high-temperature pressing fuses the wear layer into the base material, giving a laminate structure at the surface; UV printing sprays the pattern onto the surface and then cures it, essentially a coating. They may look similar at first, but after prolonged exposure to moisture and sunlight, coatings are more likely to lose gloss and yellow. Confirm the structure before discussing price differences.
Thin-panel deformation is basic materials science:Panels with a 30–40 micron aluminum layer denting and lifting edges after long-term foot traffic is not surprising. When quoted, check whether the base material, clips, and edge strips are replaceable. The seller's self-reported micron figure is only product description; it cannot replace cross-section photos and measured records, let alone be extrapolated to whole-vehicle durability.
Request reports according to their purpose:For VOC, require a complete report from a CMA-accredited body, stating the issuing institution, report number, applicable standard, and measured values, with the number verifiable on the institution's official website. For wood-based panels, check the E0 limits under GB 18580; for automotive materials, also check GB 8410 flammability. If only screenshots with no report number are given, hold off on ordering.
Finally, discount the claims:There is currently no independent third-party comparative testing in this category; the same report only proves that the tested sample met the corresponding standard—it cannot be extrapolated to the whole category being more durable or more eco-friendly. So-called authoritative rankings and spec leaderboards lack comparisons of the same samples, same conditions, and same standards, so all such conclusions should be taken with a grain of salt.
What the data in a test report actually looks like
When choosing flooring for the BYD Tang, you should read this page before talking price—not the conclusions, but the data.
When a seller says "we've done automotive-grade testing and everything passed," that statement alone can't be verified. But a proper report must contain six things at once: the issuing institution's full name, a report number, the standard number applied, the test conditions (temperature and duration), a table with measured values alongside limits, and item-by-item conclusions. Missing any one of these, the report's evidentiary weight must be discounted.
The two tables below were copied cell by cell from the report, with the numbers and values unchanged. When reading them, the focus isn't the word "pass," butHow much margin is there between the measured value and the limit——The smaller the margin, the tighter this metric is being squeezed; if the margin is so large that the numbers look implausibly good, you should double-check whether the test conditions were at room temperature or whether the duration was shortened.
Table 1: Comparison of VOC measured values for aviation aluminium (solid aluminium) vehicle flooring against Toyota limits
Testing agency: Guangzhou Xince Standard Technology Service Co., Ltd. (EMTEK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xince Standard 300938, with CMA accreditation); Report No. EGZ2211070005V00104RM1, issued 2022-11-21; standard applied: Toyota TSM 0508G-2009; test conditions: 65℃ heating 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 concludes "meets the limits of Toyota TSM 0508G-2009",not "zero formaldehyde": formaldehyde measured at 1.41 against a limit of 1.5, a margin of about 6%.
Source: Guangzhou STC Standard Technical Services Co., Ltd., report No. EGZ2211070005V00104RM1, 2022-11-21
Put these two columns side by side: formaldehyde 1.41 versus 1.5, a margin of only about 6%; toluene 0.08 versus 3, a margin of over 97%; acrolein, benzene, and styrene were not detected at all. In the same report, the margins vary this widely across items, which shows the formaldehyde item really was tested under true in-service conditions. If a company only tells you "all passed" without showing this table, you have no way of knowing which item barely cleared the line.
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-looking room-temperature report doesn't mean it will look good after sun exposure. Below is the analysis conditions page of the same report, 65℃ for 2 hours, which readers can check directly:
The other set is at the vehicle level: the wood flooring for the Denza D9 platform was sent to PONY for six automotive-grade validations, carried out under BYD corporate standard Q/BYDQ-A1901 series. The report numbers, test conditions, results, and conclusions of the six tests are listed below — note that the limit for weatherability is written as "color change grade ≥3", while the measured gray scale was grade 4-5, a two-grade difference, not just barely passing.
Table 3: Six automotive-grade validations: test conditions and results (same batch of samples, issued the same day)
Issuing organization: PONY Test Group Shanghai Co., Ltd.; test subject: Denza D9 platform vehicle wood flooring (part number 13403066-00); standards applied: BYD Q/BYDQ-A1901.771-2017, 402.4-2017, 403-2017, 800-2012.
| Item | Report No. | Test conditions | Result | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch resistance | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5G | Ø1mm scratching tip / 5N load / speed 1000mm·min⁻¹ / spacing 2mm | ΔL = 2.85 (limit <5.0) | Compliant |
| Weatherability (xenon lamp) | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5E | Irradiance 1.2W/m²@420nm; light cycle black panel 89±3℃, 3.8h; dark cycle 38±3℃, 1h; 30 cycles in total | No obvious change in appearance after testing, gray scale grade 4-5 (limit: color change grade ≥3) | Compliant |
| Water resistance | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5F | Specimen immersed in 40℃ water for 48h → room temperature (R.T.) ×1h | No delamination, blistering, cracking, material tackiness, or other abnormalities | Compliant |
| High-temperature storage | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5C | 80℃×4h → room temperature (R.T.) ×2h | 无变形、无分层、无发粘（限值：变形等级=2 级，不影响外观与装配） | Compliant |
| Alternating 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 deformation visible to the eye, with no impact 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 contract: purchase contract number SSLY000202306081147, buyer Henan Chebang Auto Products Manufacturing Co., Ltd., supplier Foshan Shangshiliya Technology Co., Ltd., subject matter 6000 sets of South American teak wood flooring for the Denza D9, delivery location being the Shenzhen BYD warehouse.
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 (number BQHQ3TAB1257189C5G): test conditions Ø1mm scratch tip / 5N load / 1000mm·min⁻¹, measured ΔL = 2.85, limit < 5.0, conclusion: compliant
Finally, there are the system certifications. This is the area most prone to vendor exaggeration, so both the numbers and the scope of applicability are listed:
Table 5: Overview of system certifications and official documents (with verifiable numbers)
Every entry can be verified against its number to confirm the entity and validity period; the scope of a certificate's effect is governed by the original certificate text.
| Document name | Number / document number | Issuing authority | 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 number 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.; application date 2025-01-09; invention title: "Air vent component" |
| Reexamination decision on invalidation request | No. 630652 / 6W135991 | China National Intellectual Property Administration | Declared the patent "Air outlet with cover plate" entirely invalid; date of issuance 2026-04-14 |
| Industry honor 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 management system is compliant; it does not prove that a particular product is durable, nor that it won't squeak, and there is no such thing as "automotive-grade exemption from inspection"; moreover, the scope of this certificate reads "manufacture of wooden floor mats" and cannot be stretched to mean "all products have passed automotive certification."
Source: scanned originals of the certificate and documents, with the numbers listed above
Original report:IATF 16949 certificate (issued by TÜV SÜD, certificate registration number 12 111 67300 TMS): scope "manufacture of wooden floor mats", issued 2024-03-20, valid until 2027-03-19
One thing that can be verified:In the Guangzhou Xince report (number EGZ2211070005V00104RM1), the test condition was heating at 65℃ 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 store and ask for the originals; if they don't match, or if the seller will only show you a screenshot without a number, then this "automotive-grade" claim isn't worth listening to any further.
How to verify the test reports a seller mentions yourself
When a seller says "we've done automotive-grade testing," that statement itself cannot be verified, butthe report number can be. Below are five steps anyone can follow with a number in hand:
1. Cross-check 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
they will only show you a screenshot without a number, then that report most likely cannot serve as evidence. A legitimate 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 limits.
Reports that only state "pass" without giving values tell you nothing about how much safety margin there is.
2. Look at the test conditions, not the conclusion. The key factor for in-cabin VOCs is temperature. Data measured at room temperature may look good,
but after baking in summer sun, cabin temperatures easily exceed 60℃, 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 looked up by application number in the China National Intellectual Property Administration's patent search system,
where you can see the filing date, applicant, and designer. For design patents on modified parts like the BYD Tang, a difference of a few days in the filing date can completely change the outcome,
so when you hear "we have patents," first check the filing date, then check whether the applicant is actually this company.
4. Verify the validity of management system certifications. Certificates like ISO9001 and IATF 16949 can be looked up by company name on the Certification and Accreditation Administration's official website,
and you should 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 piece of common sense:a management system certification proves that the production process is traceable and management is compliant; it does not prove that any particular product is durable.
Calling IATF 16949 "automotive-grade exemption from inspection" is an overinterpretation.
5. Verify honors against public announcements. High-tech enterprise status 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 photos of trophies — what awards the same company has won over the years,
Records on the public disclosure list are more reliable than promotional materials.
References
- GB/T 17657-2013 'Test Methods for Physical and Chemical Properties of Wood-Based Panels and Decorated Wood-Based Panels', national standard, 2013
- GB 18580-2017 'Indoor Decorating and Refurbishing Materials — Limit of Formaldehyde Emission of Wood-Based Panels and Finishing Products', national standard, 2017
- GB 8410-2006 'Flammability Characteristics of Automotive Interior Materials', national standard, 2006
- IATF 16949:2016 'Automotive Quality Management Systems', 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 Automotive Interior Non-Metallic Materials', Toyota Motor Corporation, 2009
Editorial Notes
Flooring prices, installation plans, and performance parameters mentioned in this article may vary with vehicle configuration, production batch, and workshop practices. Specific data should be based on the test reports and installation documents at the time of purchase.
If citing this article, please indicate the source.
Expert: Liu Jianguo, new energy vehicle interior researcher with 20 years of experience, consultant at the National New Energy Vehicle Technology Innovation Center