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Subscribe to this threadDaimler blocks debut of Chinese smart clone
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Gregg @ Dec 1st 2007 4:25PM
10,000 Euros is really cheap for any conveyance in Europe. a run-of-mill Focus might be 25,000 Euros. Cars just cost more there comparatively.
As for Mercedes' suit, that is ridiculous. There are many cars that look alike. I think you draw the line when they use the same body panels. This one is a rip-off stylistically, and the Chinese often do that, rather than issue their mostly really bad original styling exercises. But like the Koreans, they will get there, and meanwhile, copying the style of other successful rides avoids a lot of Geeley-style bad stuff.
Anyway, Mercedes ought to be scared. This thing is way cheaper, has the engine in front, and lots more inside storage space. I'd consider one if I were looking for an urban runabout...but I doubt it would ever be available here.
jake @ Dec 1st 2007 4:48PM
I agree, there's a difference between copying exterior design cues and copying a car wholesale. If it was the same as the chery QQ vs Chevy Spark, where even the doors can be taken off and interchangable with the original car, that is clearly a violation. If it was just the looks, then that is argueable, as this is what the Japanese and Koreans did in the past to get to where they are today. It's still not a good idea to blatantly copy exterior design, but the severity of that is a lot less than copying a whole car.