(Bloomberg) -- Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio Inc. said a test car crashed from the third floor of its headquarters in Shanghai, killing two people.

The accident occurred Wednesday afternoon, leaving a Nio employee and a person from a partner company dead, the firm said in a statement on its official Weibo account, adding that the incident was “not caused by the car itself.”

Nio said in the Thursday statement it is investigating the crash with police, and “can preliminarily confirm that it is an accident based on an analysis of the situation.”

Videos circulating on Chinese social media showed a badly damaged vehicle on its side with chunks of concrete splayed across the ground beside it. Rescuers in orange suits appear to be trying to get into the car at one point. It wasn’t immediately clear what kind of test car was involved.

Nio Unveils Mid-Range SUV to Catch Up to Chinese Rivals

Nio has long branded itself as a premium car producer catering to middle class consumers. Earlier this month it unveiled a five-seater SUV as it seeks to close the sales gap with local rivals Xpeng Inc., Li Auto Inc. and others. 

Nio’s US-listed shares fluctuated Thursday. They’re down more than 28% this year.

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.