Chery Automobile has issued an apology following an incident at Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie, China, where one of its vehicles crashed through a guardrail while seemingly attempting a recreation of the famed Range Rover “Stairway to Heaven” climb. The ill-fated ascent involved a 999-step staircase carved into the mountainside, a challenge previously conquered in a viral video showcasing the Land Rover’s capabilities. Chery has pledged to fully cover the costs of repairing the damage incurred during the incident.
In a released statement, the Chinese automaker acknowledged its responsibility, stating that the event exposed critical flaws in their risk assessment and a lack of meticulous control during both the planning and execution phases of the vehicle test. While specifics of the vehicle model and testing parameters have not been released, the incident highlights the inherent dangers associated with attempting extreme driving stunts in uncontrolled environments, even when inspired by past successes.