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China is battling an extreme heatwave that is not only affecting people but also causing damage to their cars.

A video of cars inflating in China was shared on social media platform X and went viral as netizens wondered why cars look “pregnant.”

As temperatures rose, the protective films on the car burst and swelled, giving them a pregnant appearance.

“No joke! Cars made in China get pregnant when it's too hot,” wrote Jennifer Zeng, a reporter in China. The post went viral on X and received more than 357,200 views.

In the video, various cars are parked outside and covered with inflated protective foil. Several car models can be seen in the video, including an Audi model.

In response to the video, some users explained that the inflatable parts were mostly protective films that had been added later and had nothing to do with cars made in China.

“The joke is on you because you don't even realize these are aftermarket wraps,” Wan Chun Hung wrote in response to the post.

“Cheap glue on the back that off-gasses? Imagine the toxic crap that the Chinese stuff you buy gives off when exposed to sunlight,” wrote another user.

“Yeah, I wouldn't want to pop it; you just don't know if it contains chemical gases or not,” said one user, Nick.

“Poor paint protection film application. Bubbles in the film expand when exposed to too much heat,” commented another user.

“But does anyone have any idea how to deflate these bloated car wraps in an emergency?” asked a third user.

According to Wrap Guys, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and elevated temperatures can affect the aesthetics and durability of a car wrap.

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High temperatures can cause vinyl films to bubble, expand, and fade over time.

Although the films have a UV protection layer that prevents these problems, it is important that the films are maintained regularly to ensure their long life.

(With contributions from agencies)