Posted on 08/28/2007 11:27:43 AM PDT by LibWhacker
BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is not happy. In a case which proves that nothing is immune to the sleight of hand of Chinese manufacturers and their ability and willingness to clone any product on earth, BMW has been forced to threaten legal action over a cheap knock-off version of their popular X5 SUV.
The Chinese-made SUV which ironically enough is called CEO is almost identical in appearance to BMW’s X5…especially from the rear.
“We have already taken steps against the marketing of the CEO (SUV) in Europe. Should this car be presented at the IAA, we will look into taking further legal steps,” a BMW spokesman said.
Forbes reports that Karl Schloessl, the owner of independent importer China Automobile Deutschland said he knew nothing of the legal action, but said it might well help sales of the model.Schloessl said he is planning to sell the cars at around 100 dealerships in Germany starting in October…again proving there is no shame among the Chinese or the vendors who get rich selling their knock-off merchandise.
The BMW X5 is pictured on the left and the Chinese CEO SUV is on the right.
Mercedes did that because they had total control of Chrysler and didn’t make the correct decisions.
Are the seats stuffed with toxic rags or medical bandages? Is that lead paint or enamel?
I've got an E36 99 M3 I'm trying to sell. 141K miles and runs and looks like new.
But the mileage scares everybody away...even at $11,500.
LOL!
The difference is that these claims were greatly overstated about Japan back in the day, largely due to lingering bitterness about the war and stuff, whereas in the case of China it is completely true. The Japanese were manufacturing planes during the war that in many ways were superior to the ones we made, and they have always taken pride in their work.
There was never any serious epidemic of Japanese products killing people, animals, etcetera.
“No, there’s a difference. The Japanese were on a learning curve,”
Agreed.
And China, since it’s making so much simply making junk, might be
“dis-incentivized” (is that a word?) from even trying to follow the
track of Japanese exported vehicles of the 1970s to the 2000s.
I suspect that “growing fat” off of making/selling junk will be
a major obstacle to Chinese quality manufacturing.
Sure, it's a noble profession - though a step or two below "target holder"...
.
Yes, they all pretty much look alike these days. So I’m not sure why he’d single out the Chinese.
Hey, watch it. I never actually dated my cousin. It was completely platonic.
Sorry to have gotten off topic.
Re: Ripping off designs.
When someone perceived “better” than you rips off your design, you know you’re on to something and have a winner.
When someone like this Chinese manufacturer does it, it means it’s time to show them who is boss, and come out with a new design that out-designs even yourself.
They don’t look nearly the same to me. All the design details have been changed.
“The difference is that these claims were greatly overstated about
Japan back in the day, largely due to lingering bitterness about the
war and stuff,”
IIRC, one of the first Japanese imports tested in the USA couldn’t handle
the hills of San Francisco.
Some of the early import models were pretty marginal, but the Japanese
learned quickly and are the reason our domestic manufacturers started
making some better cars.
And yes, the memories of WWII probably did color some comments on
the early imports.
But I know one survivor of The Bataan Death March...it did take some
time but he did buy a Japanese import (to drive, not for target practice!).
“There was never any serious epidemic of Japanese products killing people,
animals, etcetera.”
Agreed.
All I need to do is watch one of the Pacific Theater episodes of
“Dogfights” to see where Japanese engineers learned hard lessons
about the need for safety and survivability.
My beemers come on 2 wheels..
“/rant over”
Maybe your’s, but not mine.
Not by a long shot, FRiend. LOL
“Then, look at the Euros, they are copying the Japanese, especially MB copying Lexus”
I’d have to say that it’s been Lexus copying MB, BMW and Audi, and not the other way around. Although a number of recent MBs have been rather insipid. And Lexus definitely ripped on BMW for the current TL and TSX styling cues (among others).
In the beginning, that is absolutely true.
You take a look at a 89 Ls 400, the first Lexus, and you’re looking at a MB...only better.
The best Toyota ever was the Crown. An amazing car.
How come everyone's so agreeable nowadays? In used to be on FR, several throats would be slashed by now. LOL
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