BMW Wins Court Order to Ban Sales of Chinese X5 Clone in Germany

In a decision that might set the example for similar cases in the near future, a court in Munich, Germany ruled that China Automobile Deutschland GmbH’s Shuanghuan SCEO SUV infringes BMW's design rights as it’s appearance clearly resembles that of the previous generation X5 SUV.

The Munich Regional Court ruling not only prohibits the importer from selling the SUV in German but it also decided that the China Automobile Deutschland GmbH must destroy all models it still has in its possession. Although China Automobile Deutschland GmbH plans to appeal against the court ruling, sources from Germany state that a change of mind is extremely difficult in this case.

Shuanghuan Noble: Chinese Smart Fortwo’s Motto is “Smarter Than The Rest…”

The Chinese clone of the Smart Fortwo, the Shuanghuan Noble has kicked off its insolent career in several European countries, including Greece, where we got these pictures from. Unless you’re working for Shuanghuan, there’s no need for us to tell you that the Noble is a near perfect copy of the first generation Smart Fortwo - in and out.

But what really took us by surprise is the motto that the importer chose to promote the Noble: “Smarter than the rest.” Jeez; as if importing the Chinese clone wasn’t provocative enough, these guys are totally rubbing it in the face of Smart’s parent company, Daimler!

On the other hand, with prices set in Greece at €8,880 / $12,937 for the “flirt” version, €9,880 / $14,935 for the “smile” and €11,880 / $17,307 for the “plus”, we’re guessing that Smart might have a chuckle or two on its way to court… -High-res images after the jump

Chinese Toyota RAV4 & BMW X5 Clones Coming To Frankfurt

“Frankfurtians” beware, here come the attack of the clones leaded by CEO and UFO RV… Just to clarify, these are not fictional but the actual names of the two Chinese SUV’s. According to German magazine Automobile Industrie, both cars will be shown by Munich-based China Automobile Deutschland at the Frankfurt Show in September.

We’ve previewed both models in the past but to refresh your memory, the Shuanghuan CEO (or SCEO) borrows several styling elements from the BMW X5 and Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs while the Zhejiang Jonway UFO RV which made its first Euro appearance at last year’s Bolonga Show as the DR, kinda reminds us of the previous generation Toyota RAV4, we’re not exactly sure why, but it does… Oh, don’t you lust to be a fly in the air when Toyota execs take a look at the UFO in Frankfurt? -Continued after the jump

The magazine reports that both SUV’s will go on sale in Germany this October. Notably, the SCEO or CEO, is already available in Italy with France, Holland and Belgium following shortly as distributors have already been appointed. Additionally, Automobile Industrie notes that China Automobile Deutschland will also preview an ultra-low priced Chinese mini hatch that will sell in Germany for less than €7.000 or $10.000. ADAC, ADAC are you listening...

UFO

SCEO - CEO

Via: Automobile Industrie

Shuanghuan Sceo: Chinese BMW X5 Copy-Cat Coming To Europe!

They just won’t let it go, will they? What if every Chinese car tested by Germany’s ADAC has miserably failed at the crash tests; who cares! Just keep bringing them in and at some point we’ll accept them. Following the Landwind SUV and the Brilliance BS6 Sedan, next up from China is the Shuanghuan Sceo SUV that will be distributed by a new French car dealer named “AZ Motors”. The latter announced that it has been appointed as distributor of the Chinese 4x4 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

However, with the Sceo, safety isn’t the only thing Europeans should be worried about as you don’t need the imagination of J.K. Rowling to see that Shuanghuan’s SUV is inspired from the previous generation BMW X5 with a touch of Toyota Land Cruiser up front. We might find it hilarious, but we’re sure as hell that BMW execs aren’t finding this at all funny… -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Edmunds