Erik
August 28th, 2007, 12:26
Industry heavyweights BMW and Mercedes-Benz are planning to take legal action to stop Chinese copies of their cars being shown at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. China’s Shuanghuan, whose motto is “Fly your character - Run with your heart”, currently manufactures the CEO (a BMW X3 clone) as well as the Nobel Smart Fortwo copycat.
Last year Smart was able to stop another Chinese manufacturer from bringing another Smart clone on to the European market, and now BMW has issued a warning to Shuanghuan against the sale of the CEO in Italy, reports Automotive News.
As we’ve always said, it’s good to see Chinese carmakers are trying to develop cars for the world market. They just need to get to the stage where they can be accepted as original Chinese cars and not just a cheaper alternative to other more expensive brands.
http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/odds_and_ends/2007/8/3/ceo_x5_main.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/465705720_3030afe3ce_o.jpg
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.
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/x5_ripoff_450_op.jpg
Last year Smart was able to stop another Chinese manufacturer from bringing another Smart clone on to the European market, and now BMW has issued a warning to Shuanghuan against the sale of the CEO in Italy, reports Automotive News.
As we’ve always said, it’s good to see Chinese carmakers are trying to develop cars for the world market. They just need to get to the stage where they can be accepted as original Chinese cars and not just a cheaper alternative to other more expensive brands.
http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/odds_and_ends/2007/8/3/ceo_x5_main.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/465705720_3030afe3ce_o.jpg
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.
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/x5_ripoff_450_op.jpg