You might recall a post last week regarding a little tiff between Smart and Shuanghuan, the purveyors of the Noble, a dead ringer for the German firm's fortwo. That vehicle, along with an SUV dubbed the CEO, will be gracing the stand of the Chinese automaker next month in Frankfurt, and it looks as though BMW may be considering legal action as well.
The CEO has a distinctly last-gen. X5 feel to it, particularly when viewed in profile and from the rear. According to Automotive News' sister publication, Automobilwoche, BMW is considering legal action if and when the CEO is unveiled, and may attempt to halt distribution of the SUV in Europe.The IAA, the governing body for next month's show, has regulations in place that would require copyright violators to remove its products, and its entire exhibition space, from the show floor if a court-imposed injunction is filed.
We're hoping to be on hand next month if an international incident does, in fact, takes place.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RicardoHead @ Aug 27th 2007 10:06AM
Why on earth would anyone copy something as hideously boring looking as an X5?
m. @ Aug 27th 2007 1:50PM
so hideos, that in germany it is most stolen car in the country. Maybe they are trying to hide them???
RicardoHead @ Aug 27th 2007 2:31PM
Germans are known nowhere in the world for their taste.
Don @ Aug 27th 2007 2:59PM
That's not the point.
And I'm glad BMW's getting angry.
StinkyPete @ Aug 27th 2007 10:14AM
China pirates our software/movies/music and makes knock-off hardware (with extra lead). I'm honestly not surprised to see them dabbling in car knock-offs.
Don @ Aug 27th 2007 3:00PM
Maybe this is the beginning of an uprising against buying their products?
Maybe not.
felipe @ Aug 27th 2007 10:15AM
'cause its a B M W
ello @ Aug 27th 2007 10:24AM
Glad to see that companies are starting to take notice, it's always easy to copy a design, much harder to come up with something totally unique, I know car companies these days follow certain trends and have similar shapes but Chinese take it to the extreme and really copy whole exteriors. I know the quality of these products will probably leave a lot to de desired but still, they are using other brands image and designs to sell their own products.
I think that the western world needs to take notice and start to apply pressure on Chinese government to apply and follow copyright laws. China needs US far more than US needs China, US can always build their factories elsewhere, but China sells most of it's products to US market so if anything, in the long run, it's China that would suffer the most. Also, since China doesn't wanna play fair with its set currency and due to a fact that US gov't has massive debts of which China is one of the biggest creditors, US can devalue the dollar, or better yet, introduce a new currency not based on oil where the US dollar would become worthless which would hurt China the most. people fear China but they are still a developing country, their technology is still years behind Europe or US, and the longer we will wait to set China straight, the more difficult it will get.
Brandon @ Aug 27th 2007 10:57AM
Come onnnnnnn Chinese Ferrari 308 copy.... comeeeee onnnn!
If they're going to copy cars, at least make them iconic!
sheniferous @ Aug 27th 2007 11:01AM
hehe... i'm currently living abroad in shanghai for work and there's one of these bootleg X5s parked in front of my building. there's actually two in my complex... the silver one in front of my building and a black one in front of the next building over. i'm also amused to see bootleg CR-Vs, and what appears to be some sort of X-Terra and Frontier clone as well on the streets. i'll start taking pics.
SPG @ Aug 27th 2007 2:49PM
Please start taking pics. Load up a Flickr account, I love all these copies. Not that I'd ever feel safe enough to drive or buy one but I love the pics and stories about them.
Stoneman @ Aug 27th 2007 6:45PM
Please do! and send the pics to me, I'll pop them up on my web site.
I love the x5.........the best SUV I ever drove... hands down, the best handling, performance, comfort, safety, etc.. It's just so damn expensive though.
joe23521 @ Aug 27th 2007 11:05AM
It's one thing to be inspired by a design, but this is a complete duplication. It's getting ridiculous. The Chinese auto industry needs to put a stop to this if they ever want any respect from the rest of the world. The Chinese government should know that this is destroying China's image and reputation and start to intervene.
Artie43 @ Aug 27th 2007 11:22AM
The chinese don't care about respect. All they want is to make all the money. Communists have never respected copywrite laws and they won't about cars either. Just be thankful that they still allow foreign [devils] to make cars in china. That day is coming to an end too. Before long the chinese will slowly force the foreigners out.. Once they have learned all of the technology and no longer need them. Hope GM and the others have plan B for when that happens.
Louis Duran @ Aug 27th 2007 11:28AM
If they judge the "CEO" to be a copy the Frankfurt auto show officials should ban them from the show. It would be nice if other major shows also ban them until they can some up with some original designs. I suspect, left to their own devices their designs might look a tad less cutting edge.
Philip @ Aug 27th 2007 11:46AM
Some Insurance companies approve of cheaper copied body panels to repair your cars, Guess where they are made.
We should stop buying chinese products, or its the end for us.
Paul @ Aug 27th 2007 4:22PM
The real end comes when they start calling in all the debt we owe them... world wide economic collapse sound fun to anyone?
Philip @ Aug 28th 2007 3:41AM
World wide economic collapse sound fun to anyone?
Not to me, and I know you are right Paul, there needs to be some kind of balance, we already owe them too much money, I cant see it getting any better.
JMa @ Aug 27th 2007 11:58AM
I feel sorry for the designers of these vehicles. I can't imagine what its like not being able to make your own creative design, and having to knock off someone elses.
tokastyle @ Aug 27th 2007 12:00PM
For anyone intrested here is the Company website.
Its in Chinease but you can see the CRV ripoff "S-RV" and more shots of the "CEO"
http://www.hbshauto.com/en/allcar.asp
Hey Shuanghuan can you please make a
8C Competizione? You could call it the C8!