China’s ‘pregnant cars’ emerge from heatwave
Viral photos show bizarre 'pregnant cars' in China from extreme heat
Bizarre photos and videos from China display cars with what look like ‘baby bumps’ due to record-breaking hot weather. Jennifer Zeng, a human rights activist and author, captured these unusual images to highlight the phenomenon as global temperatures continue to rise.
Climate studies show that the first summer day with temperatures over 35°C is arriving 2.5 days earlier per decade. One noticeable effect of the heat is these ‘pregnant cars’ seen on extremely hot days. Zeng’s photos reveal cars in China with large bulges under the hoods. One clip shows a burgundy car with a massive red bump on its front. Another image features a purple car appearing to have three bumps, two along the doors and one on the hood.
These heat-induced changes affected cars both on the streets and in parking lots, with Zeng’s footage going viral online. She captioned the images, “No joke! Made-in-China cars get ‘pregnant’ when it’s too hot.” Social media users found the sight amusing, with one joking, “Is it a boy or girl?” Another quipped, “If they deliver the baby after cooling down, then it’s a feature, otherwise a failure.”
🇨🇳 Due to the record-high temperatures in China these days, paint protection films on vehicles have been expanding, leading people to nickname them 'pregnant cars' 😅
pic.twitter.com/LwcRW5IPiu
— Total Randomness (@Totalrandome) August 7, 2024
One viewer provided an explanation, noting that the bumps occur if there’s moisture under car wraps, which then fill with water vapour. Car Mag further explained that these wraps, applied to protect paint or change a vehicle’s colour, are generally designed to withstand typical weather. However, the extreme heat in China has proven too much for them.
Experts noted that prolonged exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight can damage the wraps, causing blistering, stretching, and swelling. To prevent damage, car owners should park their vehicles in shaded areas.
Other Perspective
- Firstpost reports that videos of ‘pregnant’ cars in China have gone viral, caused by extreme heat-induced swelling of protective films applied to cars.(read more)
- Interesting Engineering highlights the bizarre phenomenon of “pregnant” cars in China, caused by record-breaking heatwaves, affecting car wraps due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures.(read more)
- Tribune highlights China’s extreme heat causing car wraps to swell, leading to a “pregnant” appearance, sparking curiosity and concern.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why do some cars in China look like they have ‘baby bumps’?
Extreme heat causes car wraps to blister and swell, creating ‘baby bump’ appearances.
Who captured the images of the ‘pregnant’ cars in China?
Human rights activist and author Jennifer Zeng captured the images.
How does extreme heat affect car wraps?
High temperatures and direct sunlight can compromise car wraps, causing blistering and swelling.
Are ‘pregnant’ cars a sign of damage?
Yes, if car wraps swell, it indicates damage due to extreme heat and moisture.
How can car owners prevent their wraps from getting damaged in extreme heat?
Car owners should park their vehicles in shaded areas to protect the wraps.
