Homage or Ripoff? Chinese Cars that Swing Something Else

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Chinese automakers are the sincerest mofos in the automaking universe. Take, for example something called the Sceo from Shuanghuan Auto (above right left), which looks from the rear quarter like a knockoff BMW X5. Chery made headlines last year when GM accused it of ripping off the Chevrolet Spark (then selling four times the number of the Chevy). Click though for more.

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vcowman - 9/1/2006 12:19:18 PM

+1 Boost

More like Lexus doing a "performance upgrade" of German cars.

Agent63 - 9/1/2006 12:34:32 PM

+1 Boost

Here's another photo of it. It's almost identical to the X5.. I am chinese myself and i am laughing at those mainlanders! Total rip off!. However I was born in North America but to have my people build something like this is hilarious! Cheap labour plus lots of money means numerous copies and sales in a country that large. They don't have any great designers for automobiles. Architecture yes but not cars. NEVER WILL!

http://auto.china.com/zh_cn/xin/home/11027664/20051117/images/12859984_2005111711213126899900.jpg

Front end of this vehicle (What does this look like?):
http://www.szchehang.com/upload/images/aoto0062061.jpg

Agent63 - 9/1/2006 12:36:01 PM

+1 Boost

BMW Steering wheel and a little bit of Lexus RX interior in this design!. Hilarious!

http://www.sinocars.com/sinocarnews/image/2006/05/img11142505671.jpg

vcowman - 9/1/2006 2:41:31 PM

+1 Boost

aye

woood - 9/2/2006 5:22:14 AM

+1 Boost

These imitations are probably a product of the joint venture agreements with BMW, Audi And Ford. It is a common thing in China that in order to set up a manufacturing facility in China, a transfer of technology is required. Hence the similar looking vehicles with chinese names. Have you guys ever seen a Toyota Landcruiser 80 series/Lexus LX450 currently built brand new in China with a 4 cylinder mitsubishi diesel engine? Of course it has a chinese name now.