Back in the summer I commented on China's growing Shenzai industry, or the cellphones copying western models, such as Apple's iPhone, and pretty much everything from the Docomo/AU/Softbank line-up here in Japan. This is not the end of Chinese industry's manic search for acceptance by going from making tat, to making high quality stuff. Problem is, developing this reputation takes a long time. Did Apple become cool overnight? Well, kinda, it rejuvenated itself with the launch of the iPod, but that took years of development, and came off the back of it relaunching itself on the back of the iMac, and that itself was something that took years...
China is looking for instant gratification, and does not want to spend time on the whole niggly issue of designing its own products, so is lifting "western" designs, and re-badging them, and selling them back.
It is in everything. Fast food, cell phones, computers, and cars. Cars are expensive to develop, even more difficult to build a reputation, and a very heavy long term investment. Look at Kia. A laugh when it launched in Europe, but slowly, steadily, it is introducing better and better cars, and is beginning to develop a reputation. It took Japanese companies decades to go from being a joke to having the top-ranked cars in the world.
China is trying to do that in months. Look at Shanghai automotive. They bought a lot of Rover in 2006, and has now re-launched it as the Roewe 750. It is pretty much the same as the Rover 75, just a slightly longer wheelbase, and a tweaked nose.
Shanghai can do this, as they hold the designs and they maintain a design house in England, keeping many of the old Rover workers. However, many companies do not have the rights to build the cars the way they do, nor have they signed agreements to copy the styles of other companies. They are looking to achieve the same levels of respect that the western companies have, but to do in months what took western companies decades.
Here are a few. Spot the difference!
The Shuanghuan CEO, and BMW's X5. The ends are different, and you can easily tell them apart. However, the side and back are nearly indistinguishable!
The Smart Fortwo, and Shenghuan Noble. The Smart uses a rear-mounted engine, plastic body panels, and a unique safety cell. The Shenhuan Noble looks the same, but the engine is in the front, and the body is conventional steel. And its own unique safety cell. Which is, er, the same...
Mini's Clubman, and Jalopniks Lifan 320. Jalopnik claim it is not a Mini, because theirs has bigger dimensions to the Mini. Ignoring the fact that their car LOOKS the same, especially in pictures which share the same dimensions!
Mercedes CLK (2007) and Byd F8. The Mercedes features a range of engines from 3 to 5 litres, and awesome driving refinement. The Byd F8 has a 1.8, or 2 litre engine, developing about 100bhp. But it LOOKS nice, Mercedes styling cues. And weirdly, a BMW inspired corporate logo...
Mazda 3, and Haima 3. Here, Haima used to have a deal to make Mazda 3's for the Chinese market. The deal lapsed because Mazda felt it would be better if they made the Mazda 3 for the Chinese market, and pulled the Mazda 3 from Haima. No problem. Haima just carried on!
Daewoo Matiz, and Cherry QQ. These cars are so similar, that the doors ARE pretty much interchangeable! However, the QQ managed to get a 0 star rating in the Euro crash tests, and GM took court action. Cherry have agreed to only sell the car in China.
Honda CRV, and Laibao SRV.This is lazy. The car is the same, and the name is the same!
Neoplan Starliner, and Zonda A9. It is not just cars. Neoplan is one of the biggest makers of buses, and so, has made them a target for copycatting. The Neoplan is safe, and has a great reputation. The Zonda bus company has been ordered to stop selling it since Neoplan has all the copyrights...
Toyota Prado, and the Dadi Shuttle. I hate it when they get so lazy that they just mirror another model...
Toyota Rav4, and Shuanghuan UFO.
Now, to my personal favourite. The most prestigious brand in the world, Rolls Royce, is not immune to this. At the Shanghai motor show, Geely unveiled their Ge. Which Geely even delcare to be reinventing the classic! Problem is, when the classic is a Rolls, does it need reinventing!?!
Rolls Royce is talking to its lawyers. They will be good Lawyers.
As I said in my last article on this. Chinese companies have shown that they are capable of developing things which have some interesting twists. But in their manic rush for acceptability, they are copying others.
Why?
They have the money, and China as a nation can afford the time to be a bit more patient, and turn their hand to developing a truly Chinese car with its own distinctive style!
Ah well. some day, some day, they will learn...
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