A Recent History of Chinese Car Companies Blatantly Stealing Designs

China is a country where intellectual property laws aren't really laws; they're more like vague legends from a far-off land. It's also a country where the automotive industry hasn't really gotten into its groove yet, and is still in a phase that mostly involves designing a mediocre car, and then trying to make it look like a much better car from another country.

Although this appears to be a successful strategy in China, these sorts of short-cuts are one of the main problems Chinese companys face when it comes to gaining credibility in the West, which is their goal. Why invest billions of dollars into making a car company without bothering to hire a designer? These cars usually come out looking like a sketch of a Western or Japanese car that was done after having seen the subject only once and in a dimly lit, smoky room. Let us show you with A Recent History of Chinese Car Companies Blatantly Stealing Designs.

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Stolen From: Honda CR-V

If they could have stolen the name too, they would have.

Stolen From: Daewoo Matiz

This copy was so blatant that some of the Daewoo's parts actually fit on the Chery. Also, if you're going to steal a design, why steal a design from Daewoo?

Stolen From: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Steal from the best, right?

Stolen From: Cadillac CTS

It's not only the Germans who get China's imitation-flattery.

Stolen From: Izusu Wizard

While the similarity is uncanny, what we think is funny is that BMW appears to have stolen "X6" from Landwind.

Stolen From: Rolls-Royce Phantom

At least Hongqi did try to do something a little different from the Rolls with the HQD, but the end result was just a very surprised looking Phantom.

Stolen From: Smart ForTwo

The Smart ForTwo is one of our least favorite cars for sale right now, but that sort of disdain didn't stop Shuanghuan from ripping it off. Daimler filed a lawsuit preventing the Noble from being sold in Europe.

Stolen From: Nissan XTrail

1. Steal design from Nissan.
2. Add terrible '90s graphic.
3. ?
4. Profit

Stolen From: The Lexus LS's face and the Mercedes E-Class' butt.

Don't steal all of your eggs from one basket, or something like that.

Stolen From: Ford F-150

Ford filed a lawsuit over JAC's blatant use of the F-150's design, and for once the Chinese government actually upheld international copyright law

Stolen From: Subaru Forester

Shameless, absolutely shameless.