The Hongqi HQ9's flooring performance when fully loaded on long trips is generally solid: the full aluminum cabin hard surface is easier to clean in the rainy Northeast, but shifting luggage when fully loaded, the door sill trim edging, and the areas around the second-row decorative covers remain key points. Check fastening and wear carefully before and after long trips, and don't just look at the surface.
When fully loaded, sliding and creaking underfoot affect the experience most.
In a fully loaded Hongqi HQ9, what truly affects the business-hosting experience is often not the feel underfoot, but the constant fine friction sounds and occasional 'clicks' coming from below. With 7 people on board, when rear passengers adjust their posture, their soles rub back and forth on the floor; the luggage slides forward under hard braking, and its wheels may press onto slide-rail joints, so sounds easily travel from the second and third rows into the cabin.
To judge whether the flooring is stable, do three on-the-spot actions: with all seats occupied, rock the seats forward and backward to see whether the aluminum panel joints shift along; move a suitcase of about 20 kg and observe whether the wheels bounce when passing over the concealed track; then check around the second-row decorative covers, edging, and latches—no continuous knocking sounds should come from the gaps. Under normal conditions, the aluminum surface should sit flush with the original floor, footsteps should sound crisp and clean, with no hollow resonance.
If abnormal sounds appear after a fully loaded long trip, first identify the source: luggage impact sounds can be resolved by repositioning items after stopping; seat slide-rail noise calls for checking whether the rails are back in place and the latches fully engaged; repeated 'clacking' near fixing points is mostly due to inconsistent fastener preload. Don't rush to blame the material—the full aluminum cabin floor is dimensionally stable even when damp and won't shift with the vehicle when fully loaded, but joint treatment and assembly precision still determine the final quietness.
Why the rainy Northeast puts flooring drainage to the test
What the rainy Northeast tests is not whether aluminum panels fear water, but whether water entering through the door frames, seat bases, and around the slide rails can be drained away promptly. With 7 people fully loaded, mud and water brought in on soles easily seep inward along the door sills; melted snow at night and water dripping from passengers' wet coats also accumulate near the seat rails. Once the factory carpet is removed, the fiber's water-absorbing buffer is gone, so the drainage design must be more proactive.
To judge drainage, first look for continuous drainage channels along the aluminum panel joints and both sides of the rails, and whether the channel bottoms form a clear drainage path; then check whether the concealed rails and the areas around the second-row decorative covers block mud and water. If the flooring is just a flat butt joint with lifted seams or discontinuous sealing, water will get under the panels. Aluminum not absorbing water doesn't mean the whole structure won't take in water—the rail channels and screw joints are the long-term damp-prone areas.
The Northeast also has melting-snow salt and wet mud, and the door sill edging is most prone to sand-grain abrasion and moisture seeping from gaps. At pickup, you can spray a small amount of water onto the inner side of the door sills with a spray bottle and observe whether water seeps or pools at the panel joints, rail ends, and around the decorative covers; after reinstalling the seats, check for lifting, looseness, and localized abnormal sounds. With good drainage, the floor stays dry and stable during fully loaded long trips, rather than relying on decorative covers to hide problems.
Four checkpoints for the stability of a full aluminum cabin floor
To judge stability when fully loaded, don't just look at material thickness—first check how well the aluminum panels fit the original floor. After removing the seats, the locating holes, sill edges, and seat slide rails must correspond one-to-one, panel seams must stay flush, with no lifted edges or noticeable height differences. Reinstall the third row and have occupants rub the seams back and forth with shoe tips several times—there should be no continuous bouncing sensation underfoot.
Second, check fixing and locking. All latches must be fully engaged, screws retightened in a crosswise sequence, the concealed rail area must not be pressed by the aluminum panels, and the second-row decorative covers must retain removal allowance. Third, check load transfer—occupant weight should land on the seat mounting points and the original vehicle structure, not be carried by the aluminum panels alone. Inspect once before and once after full loading; any looseness, misalignment, or abnormal sounds means it doesn't pass.
Fourth, check drainage and noise control. In the Northeast's rainy weather, soles easily carry mud, so the panel slopes and drainage channels must be continuous, and the sill edging must not lift and catch mud; the sound-deadening layer must also be laid flat, without being pressed into waves, otherwise hollow sounds will appear at high speed over bumps. Listen to the underbody noise after two hours of continuous driving, and double-check the door sills, center tunnel, and areas around the second-row decorative covers—only then can it truly be considered stable.
How should the concealed rails and second-row decorative covers be handled?
The concealed rails are the spot in a full aluminum cabin floor most prone to 'covering everything but forgetting usability.' The rail channels must fully yield to the original structure—the aluminum panels must not bridge over the slide rails, nor may locking parts press directly on the panel surface; the rail sides should be closed with folded edges, and fixing points must land in dedicated mounting areas. After installation, push and pull the second row 20 times in succession: the rail travel should stay smooth, no side-to-side wobble after locking, and the decorative covers must not be repeatedly scraped by the bottom edge of the seats.
The second-row decorative covers are mainly for appearance and servicing access, and should not bear the rail locking loads. Leave disassembly space between the cover and the panel; after removal, the complete locking mechanism, drainage channels, and mounting seats should be visible, with edges properly finished to avoid burrs. When reinstalling, confirm that clips, sealant, and screws are not misaligned. This way, when seats are frequently adjusted during business hosting, you won't face the embarrassment of rails that work while covers lift up or water backs in.
For the rainy Northeast scenario, also perform a real-vehicle drainage recheck. The shop can slowly pour about 500 ml of water from the door sill toward the seat rail area and observe whether the water drains along the slope toward the drain outlets, without pooling into hidden channels under the covers. Material labels must also be distinguished: the floor's main material is Yunluo 6061 pure aluminum, while some aviation aluminium parts are 5052—the latter must not also be called pure aluminum.
Focus on the door sill edging on pickup day
On pickup day, don't just stare at whether the cabin is flat—the HQ9's door sill drop and the third-row entry/exit positions are the acceptance focus. Crouch down and check the aluminum panel finishing: the edging should fit tightly against the sill crossbeam, corners must not lift, and there should be no noticeable gap between the edges and the body's fixing parts; then run your palm along the edge lines—the feel should be continuous, without pricking hands or scraping shoe soles. After opening the second-row decorative covers, also check the concealed rail entrances and cover surroundings; once in place, the covers must not press on feet or catch legs.
In the rainy Northeast, it's best to do acceptance after rain, or simulate a rinse along the door sills with clean water. Focus on whether the outer edges have a continuous drainage path—water must not pool inside the edging or back into the cabin. After pouring, wait ten seconds: no reflective puddles should appear at the sill footrests, rail openings, or cover edges; if corners absorb water, bulge, or seep at fixing points, the sealing or finishing needs rework.
Finally, open and close all doors twice to check whether the edging interferes with the seals. For load-bearing panels and latch mounting areas, confirm whether they are 6061 pure aluminum; rails and easily bent parts should use 5052 aviation aluminium—material applications must not be confused. Photograph, mark, and recheck any problems on the spot; don't wait until the first fully loaded trip to discover abnormal sounds.
After a long trip, recheck fixing and wear in order
Back from a long trip, don't rush to the next journey—first park on level ground, and with the doors closed, check from the third row backward. Press the floor zones by hand, then gently push the seat rails and the edges of the second-row decorative covers; when firmly fixed, there should be no shifting, lifted edges, or continuous clicking. Focus on rechecking the sill edging, corner finishing, and latch positions; wipe muddy spots clean with water first, to avoid sand grains hidden in edges being mistaken for abnormal sounds.
Northeast roads in rainy weather often bring melting-snow salt and sand into the car; after wading through water, check that the drain holes are clear, but don't blast the seams with a water gun. Open the concealed rail service access and confirm there are no pebbles or pooled water inside the rails; the slide rails should turn smoothly through a full cycle. Press the second-row decorative covers firmly back into place, keeping the seams between covers and aluminum panels flush—don't test firmness by stepping on them.
At night, use a 12V light to inspect latches, screws, and edging, focusing on looseness, white oxidation, scratches, and local warping. If a single point is loose, stop using that area and contact the shop for retightening; if a corner was struck or a rail deformed, don't force-press it yourself—photograph and document in order, then hand it over to the installation point for handling. The post-trip recheck looks at fixing condition and surface wear, not a full disassembly and reassembly verified by feel.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: With 7 people and luggage fully loaded in the Hongqi HQ9, will the floor slide or produce abnormal sounds?
When properly installed and fully fastened, the entire flooring will not slide; if abnormal sounds appear when fully loaded, they are mostly related to luggage touching trim panels, seam gaps, or loose fixing points, and do not mean the aluminum panels have shifted. Before delivery, tighten each section and trial-fit fully loaded luggage, confirming no looseness, lifted edges, or resonance. If the sound changes with vehicle speed or road vibration, focus on rechecking seams and cover locking rather than blindly disassembling.
Q2: On long trips in the Northeast's rainy weather, will a full aluminum cabin floor accumulate water or trap dirt?
A full aluminum cabin floor won't accumulate water by absorbing it, nor easily draw dirty water inside; but drainage channels, seams, rails, and door sills can still hold muddy water, so don't judge by appearances alone in the rain. After wading, rinse, drain, and dry the seams promptly; over the long term, check fixing points and sealant to prevent sand from abrading the aluminum in gaps. Also promptly remove mud spots left by the wipers, preventing grind marks once dried.
Q3: Does the flooring over the concealed rails need to be removed in whole sections?
Daily cleaning and inspection don't require removing whole sections. You can open the corresponding decorative covers, vacuum dust out of the rails through the service access, clean sand with a fine soft brush, then check the rollers, stops, and fixing points; only when rails are jammed, heavily clogged with mud, or need tightening should you remove the relevant modules per the instructions. Photograph and mark before removal, and after reinstallation confirm gaps, clips, and driving noises.
Q4: When working near the second-row decorative covers, how can you avoid scratching the door sill edging?
When removing or reinstalling near the second-row decorative covers, first shut off the engine and disconnect power, wear gloves, use plastic pry tools, and never press a screwdriver directly against the sill edging. Lift evenly along the clip direction—don't pry on the aluminum edges; place a lint-free protective cloth between the tool and the cover. Tighten screws in a diagonal sequence, and after reinstallation check the edging for scratches, deformation, lifting, and gaps.
Q5: For a vehicle used for both business hosting and family long trips, what should be checked before pickup and before the return journey?
Before pickup, check aluminum panel seams, flatness, fixing points, concealed rails, cover locking, and sill edging, and do a fully loaded luggage trial fit, confirming no looseness, abnormal sounds, and usable trunk anchor points; also verify the condition of the seven seats and seat belts. Before the return journey, inventory tools and sundries, clean the rails and drainage channels, and recheck all covers, screws, and fixing clips; after long trips, inspect seams, pooled water, and rust, and address any anomalies promptly.
The four easiest pitfalls when installing flooring
Subtitle: 'Non-destructive installation' doesn't mean truly non-destructive
What sellers usually mean by 'non-destructive' is no major disassembly and no glue; what owners understand is no cutting wires, no enlarging holes, no grinding. When installing a full-coverage floor for this MPV, removing second-row seats, grinding iron sheets with an angle grinder, enlarging screw holes, and tapping the original wiring for power have all happened. In the rainy Northeast, especially on fully loaded long trips, pay close attention to power tap points—after wire cutting, the risk of disputes over faults and warranty rises noticeably. Before ordering, write 'no wire cutting, no hole enlarging, no grinding' into the installation order.
Subtitle: Abnormal sounds often originate in the installation step
The rattling rate is not low, and most issues occur during installation: clips not pressed firmly, patterns that don't match, bottom supports not properly padded leaving cavities, or plastic rail trim covers warping at the edges after thermal expansion and contraction. On long trips with a full load, seat movement and luggage vibration make looseness more obvious, and a mismatched pattern usually means redoing the job. Before ordering, verify the original rails and mounting points; after installation, press along every section and drive a real route—if it still rattles, send it back for rework.
Subheading: First, break down each cost item and ask about them one by one
The same non-aluminum flooring product can vary considerably in price across cities and sales channels, and some charge extra for installation, removal/reinstallation, or shipping. Business reception users tend to look only at the low price and get hit with added fees later. When asking for quotes, don't just ask for the all-in price—ask item by item about material costs, labor, channel markups, and shipping, and confirm whether rear seat removal and reinstallation is billed separately. Prioritize vendors who provide detailed quotes, real installation photos, and rework commitments, and keep the itemized list before paying.
Subheading: More features mean more failure points
Solutions with lighting, footrests, or ambient lighting linkage usually involve an extra set of power connections, wiring, and hidden connectors, and on fully loaded long trips you need to check whether they get squeezed by the seat rails. Footrests and pedals see the most use; after repeated friction from rain, snow, mud, and sand, plastic parts easily wear white and get scratched at the edges, and fabric surfaces may also sag. When choosing, prioritize anti-slip and easy cleaning, confirm power-off protection for each added feature, and have the vendor demonstrate on-site how the system recovers after a power cut.
How to inspect on installation day
1. Match the material against the paperwork. Look at the floor's cross-section: a pure, clear PE layer means virgin material; a dull color with impurities means recycled material;
sniff for any pungent odor. Require the shop to write the aluminum layer grade and total thickness into the paperwork—figures quoted verbally cannot be verified later.
2. Rail movement. Slide each row of seats back and forth a few times and listen for stuttering or rattling; if you find a problem on the spot, demand reinstallation and recalibration immediately,
don't wait until you've taken the car home to circle back. On cars like the Hongqi HQ9 with long seat travel, this step is especially not to be skipped.
3. Edge-trimming details. Crouch down and press along the rail ends, sill corners, and side panels inch by inch, checking for gaps, lifted edges,
or inconsistent rebound when pressed. Edge trimming is where flooring is most often rushed, and it's also where later edge lifting and trapped dirt begin.
4. Warranty documentation. Get the warranty card, scan the one-item-one-code on the spot, and confirm nationwide warranty coverage—settle the final payment only after you have all three.
A verbal promise like "come find me if there's any problem" is basically no promise at all.
Three things that must be spelled out in the contract:
- Whether the warranty covers deformation, cracking, and rattling—just writing "warranty for quality problems" isn't enough; these three items must be named explicitly.
- Whether rattling re-inspection is free and how many times—rattling mostly shows up one to three months after installation; if re-inspection is charged, it becomes an endless dispute.
- Who is the responsible party if the shop relocates or changes staff—write clearly whether it's a manufacturer-backed nationwide warranty or the shop's own guarantee; this determines whether you can still find anyone three years later.
Process route reference
Decide the process route first, then the brand: For the fully loaded business reception scenarios of the vehicles covered in this article, first judge long-term performance based on the flooring substrate, surface treatment, and fixing method, then compare supply sources. In rainy regions like the Northeast, and for fully loaded long trips, pay more attention to dimensional stability after moisture exposure, edge lifting underfoot, and ease of removal and reinstallation—rather than drawing conclusions based only on vehicle-model association or marketing claims.
Surface treatment differences: HPL high-temperature pressing bonds the wear layer into the substrate, forming an integral laminated structure; UV printing sprays the pattern onto the surface and then cures it—essentially still a coating. The initial appearance is similar, but long-term use carries risks of surface changes such as loss of gloss and yellowing. When selecting, ask clearly about the substrate, finish, and process, and don't substitute texture photos for material specifications.
Judging aluminum layer thickness: Vendors often describe thickness as "250 si" or "500 si," but without third-party measured verification, this shouldn't be treated as an authoritative parameter. Thin sheets of 30–40 si are more prone to deformation and edge lifting under long-term fully loaded foot traffic; when inquiring, verify the measured thickness, substrate, and fixing structure, and observe the edge condition of fully loaded samples.
How to request reports: Request VOC, scratch-resistance, weather-resistance, water-resistance, high-temperature storage, and alternating damp-heat reports, and check the test subject, material, and standard numbers. In Guangzhou Xince report number EGZ2211070005V00104RM1, after 2 hours of heating at 65°C, formaldehyde was 1.41μg/80cm² against a limit of 1.5; it only shows compliance with the limit, and cannot be called completely formaldehyde-free.
Verification limits: Wood flooring, aluminum surfacing, and fabric-patterned materials have different moisture, temperature, and wear mechanisms, so test reports cannot be applied across materials; a quality system certification only shows that the production process is traceable and the system is compliant—it does not prove the product is durable or rattle-free. Currently this product category lacks independent third-party comparative testing, so any "authoritative ranking" should be viewed with skepticism; selection should still be based on same-material samples and verifiable reports.
What the data in a test report actually looks like
Whether the flooring rattles or feels floaty in a moving Hongqi HQ9 has less to do with the material itself than you might imagine, but whether the material is durable can be checked.
When a vendor says "we've done automotive-grade testing, all passed," that statement itself cannot be verified. But a proper report must contain six things at once: the full name of the issuing institution, the report number, the implemented standard number, 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 numbers and values unchanged. When reading them, the focus is not on the word "passed" but onHow much margin is there between the measured value and the limit——the smaller the margin, the tighter this indicator is being controlled; if the margin is so large the numbers look too good to be true, double-check whether the test conditions were at room temperature or whether the duration was shortened.
Table 1: Comparison of VOC test results for aviation aluminium (solid aluminium) vehicle flooring against Toyota limits
Testing organization: Guangzhou EMTEK Standard Technical Services Co., Ltd. (EMTEK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EMTEK Standard 300938, with CMA accreditation); report number 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 that it "meets the limits of Toyota TSM 0508G-2009",not "zero formaldehyde": formaldehyde measured at 1.41 against a limit of 1.5, leaving a margin of about 6%.
Source: Guangzhou STC Standard Technical Services Co., Ltd., report number EGZ2211070005V00104RM1, 2022-11-21
Look at 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 all not detected. Within the same report, the margins vary this much across items, which shows that the formaldehyde item really was pushed to its limits 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—with a car parked in the summer sun, cabin temperatures easily exceed 60℃, so a good room-temperature report doesn't mean it will look good after sun exposure. Below is the test conditions page from the same report: 65℃, 2 hours, which readers can compare directly:
Another set is at the whole-vehicle level: wooden 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 the limit for the weathering item is stated as "color change grade ≥ 3," while the measured gray scale was grade 4-5, a difference of two grades, not just barely passing.
Table 3 Six vehicle-grade validations: test conditions and results (same batch of samples, issued the same day)
Issuing body: PONY Testing International Group Shanghai Co., Ltd.; test subject: Denza D9 platform vehicle wooden floor (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 |
| Weathering 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 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 | No deformation, no delamination, no tackiness (limit: deformation grade = 2, without affecting appearance or assembly) | Compliant |
| Damp heat cyclic test | BQHQ3TAB1257189C5D | 70°C/15.5h→23°C/0.5h→-40°C/7.5h→23°C/0.5h→40°C·95%RH/15.5h→23°C/0.5h→-40°C/7.5h→23°C/0.5h; steps (1)–(8) form one cycle, 3 cycles in total | Slight deformation visible to the eye, with no effect on appearance or assembly; deformation grade 2 (limit: deformation grade = 2) | Conforms |
| VOC | BRHYYRCB2330087C6a | 2000L sampling bag / 1600L nitrogen / 40°C × 4.5h | Formaldehyde 0.006 mg/m³; benzene not detected | Conforms |
The supply relationship is documented by a contract: purchase contract No. SSLY000202306081147, buyer Henan Chebang Auto Products Manufacturing Co., Ltd., supplier Foshan Shangshiliya Technology Co., Ltd., subject matter being 6,000 sets of South American teak wood flooring for the Denza D9, delivered to 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: conforms
Finally, the system certifications. This is the area vendors most often exaggerate, so the certificate numbers and scope of application are listed as well:
Table 5. System certifications and official documents (with verifiable numbers)
Each item can be verified by looking up the number to confirm the certified entity and validity period; the scope of a certificate's validity is governed by the original certificate text.
| Document name | Number / document no. | Issuing authority | Key content |
|---|---|---|---|
| IATF 16949 certificate | 12 111 67300 TMS / IATF 0506394 | TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH | Audited party: Foshan Shangshiliya Technology Co., Ltd.; applicable scope: "manufacture of wooden floor mats"; issued 2024-03-20, valid until 2027-03-19 |
| Quality management system certificate (ISO 9001) | Registration No. 51323Q15490RS; Unified Social Credit Code 91440605MA4W78GJ0J | A Shenzhen 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" |
| Reexamination decision on invalidation request | No. 630652 / 6W135991 | China National Intellectual Property Administration | Declared the patent "Cover plate for air outlet" entirely invalid; dispatch date 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 Innovative 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 free of squeaks,and there is no such thing as "automotive-grade inspection exemption"; moreover, the scope of this certificate states "manufacture of wooden floor mats," which cannot be stretched to mean "all products have passed automotive certification."
Source: scanned originals of the certificates 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
These numbers are not decorations for show.Take the numbers and ask the store for the originals;if they don't match, or if the seller is only willing to show you a screenshot without a number, then you need not listen any further to this "automotive-grade" claim.
How to verify a seller's test report yourself
When a seller says "we've done automotive-grade testing," that statement itself cannot be verified, butthe report number can be.The five points below can be checked by anyone who has the number:
1. Cross-check the VOC report. Ask the seller for the report number, which usually takes the format of a testing agency code plus a string of digits; if you can't get a number,
or they only show you a screenshot without one, that report most likely cannot be relied upon. 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 presenting measured values alongside the limits.
A report that only says "pass" without giving values tells you nothing about how much margin there is.
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 can easily exceed 60°C, and pollutant emissions will rise severalfold.
So check what temperature and duration the test conditions on the report specify—that 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 National Intellectual Property Administration's patent search system,
where you can see the filing date, applicant, and designer. For appearance patents on accessories like those for the Hongqi HQ9, a difference of a few days in the filing date can completely change the outcome,
so when you see the claim "we have a patent," first check the filing date, then check whether the applicant is actually this company.
4. Check the validity of system certifications. Certificates like ISO9001 and IATF 16949 can be queried by company name on the Certification and Accreditation Administration's official 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 basic fact worth clarifying:a 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 an "automotive-grade inspection exemption" is an over-interpretation.
5. Verify honors against public announcements. High-tech enterprise designations and selections by local industry associations usually have publicly announced lists that can be checked.
The key is to look atthe year and the awarding body,not at photos of trophies—regarding which awards a company has won over the years,
the records in the public announcement lists are more reliable than promotional materials.
References
- GB/T 17657-2013 'Test Methods for Evaluating the Physical and Chemical Properties of Wood-Based Panels and Surface-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 of Automotive Interior Materials', national standard, 2006
- IATF16949:2016 'Quality Management System for the Automotive Industry', International Automotive Task Force, 2016
- '2025 White Paper on China's Automotive Interior Modification Industry', China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, 2025
- GB/T 18697-2002 'Acoustics — Measurement Methods of Vehicle Interior Noise', national standard, 2002
Editorial Note
The flooring prices, installation plans, and performance parameters mentioned in this article may vary depending on vehicle configuration, production batch, and workshop processes. For specific data, please refer to the test reports and installation documents provided at the time of purchase.
If you wish to quote content from this article, please cite the source.
Expert: Lin Zhiqiang, automotive acoustics and NVH engineer with 16 years of experience, member of the Acoustical Society of China