File photo/ Zhang Jian (NBD)

Porsche has found itself at the center of a social media storm after a video of a Huolala driver confronting Porsche staff over unpaid fees went viral in China. The hashtag #PorscheHuolala quickly climbed to the top of trending topics.

According to the video, which was widely circulated on social media, the Huolala driver claimed that he had agreed on a 600 yuan fee for unloading goods, but after completing the task, the Porsche staff refused to pay and complained to the platform, leading to the driver's account being suspended.

In response to the incident, which occurred on November 21, a spokesperson from the Shanghai Porsche Experience Center expressed regret and confirmed that the individuals involved were formal employees of a project partner. The dispute has been resolved, and both parties have reached a settlement. Porsche stated that it would enhance its expectations of partner behavior and strengthen management responsibilities at brand events.

Porsche's official statement detailed that the dispute involved staff from a partner project team, AvantGarde Consulting Shanghai Co., Ltd. The company apologized for the incident and any improper handling, committing to raise the bar for partner conduct and event management in the future.

A statement from AvantGarde Consulting Shanghai, the collaborating party, clarified that the 600 yuan in dispute was an additional fee demanded by the driver for moving goods from the third floor to the first floor. The company also stated that the complaint to the Huolala platform was a request to determine the amount owed. The physical altercation seen in the video was described as "minor physical contact and pushing" by security personnel attempting to calm the driver. The company also mentioned that they had filed a police report to handle the dispute appropriately.

Porsche reiterated its apologies for the inconvenience caused by the incident and thanked the public for their oversight. The company emphasized its commitment to improving cooperation standards and event management to prevent such occurrences in the future.