The most famous Chinese auto clones

The rapid development of the Chinese automotive industry is beyond doubt. Joint ventures, own factories appear in the Celestial Empire at an incredible rate. In addition to them, many research centers are being built, and Chinese businessmen are buying controlling stakes in Western auto concerns. Citizens of the PRC with average incomes really want to look like the rich, but they cannot afford to buy expensive foreign cars. A way out of the situation was quickly proposed by Chinese factories, which began to “stamp” cars in batches, like two drops of water similar to prestigious Western cars. The most striking examples of plagiarism should be discussed separately.

Range Rover Evoque

The appearance on the market of a Chinese copy of the Landwind X7, outwardly repeating the outlines of an English SUV, caused a real scandal. The clone cost three times less, but had a powerful engine of 190 "horses". True, the platform on the Landwind X7 is from outdated Japanese crossovers. As a result, the “Chinese” crash tests failed when compared with the original.





Externally, the Chinese copy can be considered a restyling of the original. These are slightly modified bumpers, slightly different optics and interior. Here are the technical data of the Ewok (in brackets - the characteristics of the clone):

• ✅ volume of the power unit - from 2 to 2,2 liters (2.0)
  
• ✅ power - 150-190 or 240-285 hp With. (190 HP)
  
• ✅ transmission - 6-speed manual transmission or 9-band "automatic" (the same "mechanics" or automatic transmission for 8 speeds)
  

In terms of drive, the Chinese saved. The original is full, the copy is only the front.

Rolls Royce Phantom

Geely is a fairly large and reputable company. However, when she saw the new Rolls-Royce, she could not resist and almost immediately after the limousine entered the market, she immediately copied it, presenting Geely GE to the astonished public. It is curious: the designers of the original are quite conservative and strictly follow the traditions - under the hood there is a good old gasoline internal combustion engine. But the Chinese are rushing forward, following the progress: Geely GE has a version with a hybrid engine.



However, in terms of interior decoration, the model from China is far from the real Rolls-Royce: the materials are not so expensive, there is no “proprietary” opening of the rear doors against the move. Although the "Chinese" has its own "trick" - a personal chair is installed behind: something like a throne. Comparison of technical parameters of Rolls Royce Phantom and Geely GE (in brackets):

• ✅ power unit - 12-cylinder gasoline with a capacity of 460 liters. With. 6,4 l (V6 in 3,6 or 2,4 l developing 220 hp)
  
• ✅ transmission - 6-speed automatic transmission (same)
  

The Chinese "improved" the car and made the drive complete, while the original had only a rear one.

BMW X5

Its “competitor” from China is Shuanghuan SCEO (CEO). For its construction, a frame from Isuzu was used. The appearance of the clone, except for the BMW, also resembles the outlines of the Toyota LC Prado. If someone likes both BMW X5 and Toyota Prado, but it is difficult to make a choice, buy Shuanghuan SCEO (CEO) as a compromise! But the main feature of this Chinese copy is that it was sold in the EU countries: of course, at a dumping cost. He flashed in 2008-09 in Russia, although not for long. Technical data BMW X5 (E53 body) and Shuanghuan SCEO (CEO):

• ✅ engine capacity - from 3 to 4,8 liters (2,4 liters)
  
• ✅ ICE power - from 180 to 360 liters. With. (125 HP)
  
• ✅ drive - full (same)
  

Mercedes-Benz G-class

The Chinese could not pass by such a popular brand. And in the PRC, its own Gelik was released - BAIC BJ80. It is curious that there were no special scandals here. The German concern is a shareholder of a car factory from China (12%) and has a Beijing-Benz joint venture there. An agreement was reached with Daimler AG that the designers from China would make the car less expressive. In 2016, a copy of the Mercedes-Benz G-class with a hybrid power plant was demonstrated in Shanghai: it appeared earlier than the original. Characteristics of the real "Gelika" (in brackets - Chinese):

• ✅ engine size - gasoline from 3 to 5,5 liters, diesel 4 liters (2,3 liters and 2,8 liters, respectively)
  
• ✅ developed power - 422-630 or 245 hp With. (163 and 250 HP)
  
• ✅ transmission - 7-band automatic transmission (6-speed manual transmission or "automatic")
  

Both of the compared cars all-wheel drive and 4-speed automatic transmission.

Mini Cooper

The Chinese are "engaged" not only in prestigious cars in the West. This small machine also fell into the circle of their interests. In China, its copy was called Lifan 320. It has the same radiator grille, similar optics and body contours. The Chinese even offer a two-tone coloration, like the original manufacturers.



Initially, the British produced a three-door version of the car. Later, an extended version appeared. It already had 5 doors. However, the Chinese did it much earlier and released the Lifan Smily model.

Lada x-ray

If you think that the Chinese only copy Western brands, then you are greatly mistaken. Landwind designers from the Middle Kingdom, who copied the Range Rover Evoque so well, did not ignore the modest Russian crossover. And just a few months after the first serial X-Ray rolled off the assembly line. At the heart of the Chinese car is the Changan CS35 platform. A bumper and chrome inserts were adapted to it. Steve Mattin, the chief designer of AvtoVAZ, is just very proud of them. But the Chinese did not like the "stern" of the Russian "SUV" and, without thinking twice, they borrowed it from the Mitsubishi ASX. This is how the "constructor" turned out - Landwind X2. In fairness, it should be noted that this car was not officially supplied to the Russian market.

Legal aspects of copying a car

Oddly enough, but there is no single international regulation here. If disputes arise related to the copying of some models, they are resolved in the general legal field regarding copyright. Moreover, in relation to them in different countries, the legislation differs from each other. At the same time, the courts of the PRC completely ignore the claims of Western companies that are outraged by “copyright”.

The maximum that the "victims" can count on is to ban the import of copies to the market of a particular country. However, first you need to prove that the Chinese car is really a clone of an already produced model, and not the result of its own development. An examination will be required, the outcome of which is difficult to predict.

The Russian Federation has its own way. The country has a special option for protecting the copyright of machine manufacturers. This is a patent for an industrial design. When a new model is released, it must be registered. The document is valid for 15 years, then the patent can be extended for another 10. The Americans have their own form of protection, similar to the Russian one. This is a design patent. It has been used for 14 years. The European Union has also taken specific measures. This is where "Community Design" works - a special mechanism for protecting copyrights. If during the examination it is proved that the car has a unique appearance, then it will be protected by law for 25 years.