Human Interest

10 most audacious Chinese-made knockoffs

By Vernon B. Sarne —

We all know the Chinese copy everything. Blatantly, to be very specific about it. From mobile phones to watches, the Chinese have mastered the art of counterfeiting just about anything that has monetary value on the market. Their business motto seems to be: "If it has buyers, it can be faked."

It's no different with their automotive industry. China now boasts the largest car market in the world in terms of unit sales, surpassing even the mighty United States. Naturally, the nation has countless car brands, many of which we bet you haven't even heard of. As is usually the case with industry newbies, many Chinese carmakers are content to just plagiarize the exterior designs of existing vehicles from the West.

Here, we list the 10 most shameless knockoffs that the Chinese auto industry has churned out--ranked according to the degree of the counterfeiter's audacity. Some of these copies bear such a striking resemblance to the real ones that we seriously wonder why their makers don't get sued. Okay, of course we know why: It's because most established car companies are eager to expand their global business by selling well in China, something they won't be able to do if they antagonize the Chinese government (which, incidentally, owns many of the country's automakers).

Anyway, let's start the countdown. The name of the car being imitated is placed in parenthesis. If you know of more amusing Chinese-made knockoffs, share them with us through the comment box below.

 

10th: Chery QQ (Chevrolet Spark/Daewoo Matiz)

Chery QQ

 

9th: JAC Pickup (Chevrolet Colorado)

JAC Pickup

 

8th: Dadi Shuttle (Toyota Land Cruiser Prado)

Dadi Shuttle

 

7th: Great Wall Florid (Toyota Yaris)

Great Wall Florid

 

6th: Foday Explorer (Ford Explorer)

Foday Explorer

 

5th: Dongfeng Fengshen S30 (Chrysler Sebring)

Dongfeng Fengshen S30

 

4th: Lifan 320 (Mini Cooper)

Lifan 320

 

3rd: Shuanghuan Noble (Smart Fortwo)

Shuanghuan Noble

 

2nd: BYD S8 (Mercedes-Benz CLK)

BYD S8

 

1st: Geely GE (Rolls-Royce Phantom)

Geely GE

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  • BOOGIECAT May 04 2012 @ 09:20pm
     
    Jinbei Haise shouldn't be included in the list cause the production of this van is authorized by Toyota through partnership Brilliance Automotive of China which is also manufacturer and distributor of BMW vehicles in China .They also produce a rebadged Hiace Granvia and Hiace GL Grandia LWB in China.Nabili ng Jinbei-Brilliance ang patent at rights para sa production ng Hiace Granvia at lumang Hiace!
       
    • enZo4o May 04 2012 @ 09:27pm
       
      nice research sir! kudos!
         
      • BOOGIECAT May 04 2012 @ 09:44pm
         
        May brochure kasi ako ng Jinbei Haise at na-test drive ko nayan(salamat sa Jinbei Auto Otis sa Paco,Manila).Medyo mahina ang aircon nya at halos parehas lang ang handling at ride quality nya sa lumang Hiace..Sana dalhin nila dito yung Hiace Granvia na legt copy na Jinbei.

        Yung Joylong ay legit na copy din ng Hiace GL Grandia LWB Hi-Roof.Ginagamit din nila yung 2.5 Liter D-4D engine ng Toyota.

           
    • the 8th May 04 2012 @ 10:04pm
       
      Tama si sir boogiecat, actually maraming nabigyan ng rights dito sa hiace, meron din yung joylong and even chery na version
         
  • janoski8 May 04 2012 @ 09:27pm
     
    LOL
       
  • Vernon B. Sarne
    Vernon B. Sarne May 04 2012 @ 09:27pm
     
    Thanks for pointing it out, BOOGIECAT. The problem with these cars is that there are so many of them that it's almost impossible to know the origin of every single one. I will try to replace the Jinbei Haise with something else.
       
    • BOOGIECAT May 04 2012 @ 09:32pm
       
      Hanapin nyo lang sir yung Sichuan Yema at Zotye Auto at for sure marami kayong makikitang copy cat cars dyan!
         
    • BOOGIECAT May 04 2012 @ 09:32pm
       
      Hanapin nyo lang sir yung Sichuan Yema at Zotye Auto at for sure marami kayong makikitang copy cat cars dyan
         
  • carwiki May 04 2012 @ 09:31pm
     
    I think the Jinbei Haise has a ramp for the wheelchair. I just saw it in the newspaper.
       
  • rdjl_13 May 04 2012 @ 09:31pm
     
    Nagulat ako sa #1. Imba ang copy. XEROX. Deserve ng Geely GE ang #1! :))
       
  • Feeter Silverster May 04 2012 @ 09:40pm
     
    Yung Jac Refine eh copycat ng Starex, Yung Haima cars eh copycat ng Mazda cars.
       
    • BOOGIECAT May 04 2012 @ 09:55pm
       
      Yung JAC Refine ay semi-legit copy ng Starex.Galing yan sa dating partnership ng JAC at Hyundai.Yung JAC Rein ay semi-legit clone din ng Santa Fe.Yung Haima naman ay sem-legit din yan.Dating magkapartner noon ang FAW(owner ng Haima) at Mazda.Though lumipat sa Chana ang Mazda.
         
    • carwiki May 06 2012 @ 08:25pm
       
      Yes, I also researched it. Para siyang Starex GRX.
         
    • edrian1011 May 07 2012 @ 01:02pm
       
      yung Hama 2, 3, etc
         
  • hajabah May 04 2012 @ 09:43pm
     
    TG UK featured the Geely GE in their news once. The copied Spirit of Ecstasy was quite amusing.
       
  • tgstig May 04 2012 @ 09:43pm
     
    close enough... wait... NO!
       
  • tgstig May 04 2012 @ 09:44pm
     
    more here: http://www.topgear.com/au/photos/fake-cars-of-beijing-2012?imageNo=0
       
  • GTi May 04 2012 @ 09:44pm
     
    Some of them have trade agreements to let them use the old designs of more established carmakers, which should explain why they were able to copy to such a degree. Although some of them are really pure knockoffs.
       
  • dmaxred18 May 04 2012 @ 09:45pm
     
    Di talaga sila nahiya sa ginagawa nila,.hahaha
       
  • the 8th May 04 2012 @ 10:02pm
     
    The foday explorer looka more like an everest but the name clearly shows their intent. Tama si boogiecat, yung zotye notorious. They even made a semi-legit copy of the suzuki celerio and is now currently one of the cheapest cars in the world at $3,700.00. Meron din isang sobrang knock off ng audi A4 i just forgot kung anong name.
       
    • BOOGIECAT May 04 2012 @ 10:10pm
       
      Yung platform na ginagamit ng new Zotye ay yung sa lumang Suzuki Alto.Garapal yang Zotye!
         
  • BOOGIECAT May 04 2012 @ 10:08pm
     
    Mukha nang Mini Countryman ang new Lifan 320!
       
  • jayzeter19 May 04 2012 @ 10:09pm
     
    they're chinese.. what can we do??

    they sell products w/ mercury & lead, they sell counterfeit phones and cars.. even they can fake beers.. fake BEATS anyone?? they do all of them even bullying small countries like ours.
       
  • gvm0116 May 04 2012 @ 10:10pm
     
    I'd like to see a Chinese version of the Bugatti Veyron then call it "SARNNEE VERNON" LOL, Peace, Chef!
       
  • markdejesus76 May 04 2012 @ 10:17pm
     
    Original Design daw nila yan. HAHAHAHA. Reply nila sa Rolls-Royce yan.
       
    • Troy May 04 2012 @ 11:18pm
       
      Talaga sir nireply ng geely sa rolls royce yun?!
         
      • markdejesus76 May 05 2012 @ 08:58am
         
        Yup. Sa Beijing international Auto show yata yun. Magkasama sila sa event ee. Maraming nakapansin ng pagkakamukha nung Geely GE tska Rolls-Royce Phantom. Sa interview sa RR, sabi nila, evidently kinopya sila. Pero di naman sila kinakabahan sa ginawa ng Geely since 'di rin naman daw nila maccopy ang quality build at refinement ng RR. So ininterview ang Geely after, they insist that it was their original design. Ayun. Garapal eh.
           
        • Troy May 07 2012 @ 11:40pm
           
          Wew ang kapal ng mga mukha nila para sabihing original design nila yan. E ang tagal na ganyan ang design ng rolls royce. E sila kelan lang sumulpot.
             
  • jbedpan May 04 2012 @ 10:33pm
     
    To the Chinese these are not counterfeits. And i will borrow the words of Jeremy Clarkson - there is no word "counterfeit" in the Chinese dictionary.
       
  • jayzeter19 May 04 2012 @ 11:07pm
     
    here are more additions :)

    Mercedes C - Geely Merrie 300

    Honda CRV - Laibao SRV

    BMW log - BYD logo

    Toyota - Geely logo
       
  • lord_cykb24 May 04 2012 @ 11:23pm
     
    eto may isa pa.......... DONGFENG'S All-New CIIMO, looks familiar......http://www.kotse.com/home/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=761:dongfeng-ciimo-honda-civic&Itemid=197
       
    • BOOGIECAT May 05 2012 @ 01:01pm
       
      Licensed copy yan dahil ang Dongfeng ang manufacturer ng Honda vehicles sa China..
         
  • wallrift May 05 2012 @ 12:20am
     
    the chery tiggo aka toyota rav4 should be in the top 5 :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chery_Tiggo.JPG
       
    • BOOGIECAT May 05 2012 @ 01:06pm
       
      Yung Jonway Zhejiang UFO ay Toyota RAV 4 clone din!
         
    • Feeter Silverster May 06 2012 @ 09:45am
       
      whatta name, UFO! wahaha
         
  • tidus1203 May 05 2012 @ 07:17am
     
    How about the Great Wall Panda? Looks like a Toyota/Scion Bb. And that thing is sold locally.
       
    • vonschnipp May 05 2012 @ 08:40am
       
      You mean Coolbear
         
      • carwiki May 06 2012 @ 09:33am
         
        Yes, It's the Coolbear, yung Hover nga eh, I think parang Toyota Fortuner.
           
        • vonschnipp May 06 2012 @ 04:06pm
           
          Hover is based on the Isuzu Axiom (US model). GW bought the tooling from Isuzu for that one.
             
    • Rem May 06 2012 @ 11:15pm
       
      Great Wall Gwperi = Fiat Panda? :/
         
  • vonschnipp May 05 2012 @ 08:36am
     
    This is old news. Actually their most recent designs are much more original now, thank God. Copying is all part of the creative learning process anyway.
        4
  • isaac3654 May 05 2012 @ 08:36am
     
    Watch Top Gear Season 18 Episode 2. It features the new SLS AMG Roadster, and, Chinese Copyright Cars. Ung part tungkol sa chinese car ay sobrang nakakatawa! Ikkwento din nila kung bakit nangongopya ang chinese in the first place! =))))
       
  • karlestabillo May 05 2012 @ 09:25am
     
    Dong Fengs new CIIMO exact copy of Honda Civic! 8th gen http://kotse.com/home/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=761:dongfeng-ciimo-honda-civic&Itemid=197
       
  • bruce May 05 2012 @ 09:53am
     
    There's one copycat of altis 9th gen
       
  • siraniko May 05 2012 @ 10:13am
     
    coolbear (toyota bb)
       
  • mindkinetic May 05 2012 @ 10:13am
     
    @vonschnipp; copying is never part of creation... copying is copying... creation as the nomenclature dictates require creativity, and creativity is authentic/original. you may see something and then from that creation you think of "bettering" it then ( transcending from the original make) but we know chinese made cars; it does not meant to evolve the product of origin it is meant to COPY the design with inferior quality.
       
    • vonschnipp May 06 2012 @ 04:08pm
       
      you are very serious (I was not)
          1
  • BOOGIECAT May 05 2012 @ 01:07pm
     
    Akala ko ba ipapasok ni Yuchengco yung BYD Auto sa Philippines?Daming clones nun!
       
  • carwiki May 05 2012 @ 02:56pm
     
    Also the BYD F3, the front looks like the Altis and the back looks like the City.
       
    • BOOGIECAT May 05 2012 @ 09:56pm
       
      760K yung BYD F3 Sedan 1.6 Liter A/T variant..Mahal para sa isang Chinese car..
         
  • GTi May 05 2012 @ 05:58pm
     
    Yung "Explorer" mas mukhang Everest kesa sa Explorer. ^0^
       
  • dhryfusc May 05 2012 @ 06:28pm
     
    sad sad and very sad to read this article,,, most of all shame to those who like a fake fake and super fake copy cat. . . . . . . hope chinese who loves in the world of automobile should have own identity but not to make fake and a copy cat. . . . . i guess this kind of action is for the money only and destroy the identity of any brand of cars. .. . . . . . YOU KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE TO ALL CAR COMPANY IS TO " WE WILL DO WHAT ARE YOU DOING". . . . the reality, is MINUS THE PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY OF THE CAR THEY ARE COPYING.
       
    • manongtaxi May 05 2012 @ 06:41pm
       
      pre pwede magtagalog o kaya taglish :)) pag hindi sigurado sa pag english pwede naman magtagalog ;) i don't mean to offend you in anyway :bd ang objective lang naman is sana makapag communicate tayo as much as possible
         
      • dhryfusc May 05 2012 @ 06:51pm
         
        intindihin mo lang pre. . . .
           
        • manongtaxi May 06 2012 @ 08:07pm
           
          tama ka pre :)) naalala ko tuloy yung memorandum sa tunay na lalake blogspot
             
      • dhryfusc May 05 2012 @ 06:56pm
         
        ito talaga ang message. . . "ang mensahe ng mga chinese sa mga automobile company na kaya namin gawin ang ginagawa nyo" pero ang durability at performance ay nawawala.
           
  • carwiki May 06 2012 @ 09:30am
     
    Kakatawa talaga yung China pati yung Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley ginaya nila.
       
  • Feeter Silverster May 06 2012 @ 09:37am
     
    Oh, the Letter sender of the month got a very agonizing experience of owning a Chery QQ, It's not just the poor quality but the disappearing Chery dealers. Hehe.
       
  • BOOGIECAT May 06 2012 @ 03:34pm
     
    Buhay na buhay pa ang Chery sa Philippines at eto ang website nila:http://www.cherymotors.ph/
       
  • barry May 06 2012 @ 03:47pm
     
    buy the original. -ronnie rickets. haha
       
  • carwiki May 06 2012 @ 08:29pm
     
    Yung likod ng Geely Merrie 300, parang likod ng E36 3 Series.
       
  • carwiki May 06 2012 @ 08:32pm
     
    Also search for the CEO SUV. The rear looks like the 1999-2006 BMW X5.
       
  • carwiki May 06 2012 @ 08:35pm
     
    BYD S6= Lexus RX
       
  • carwiki May 06 2012 @ 08:42pm
     
    Yema S16= Audi A4
       
  • ChairmanPineapple May 07 2012 @ 12:01am
     
    china should stop copying on other's designs kahit may bayad pa sa license etc... if they really wanted to be a superpower they should design their own set of designs genuine from their own creative minds instead of copying and ending up looking cheap. With their own ideas they can say its really from China
       
    • Allain May 09 2012 @ 05:09pm
       
      Say that to your Govt....at least sila kahit papaano may initiative sa pagkopya para kahit papano may pagpipilian ang mga mamamayan nila na cant afford sa mamahaling sasakyan.This is not for you Filipinos this is for the Chinese people and for those who will accept!
         
  • spherion03 May 07 2012 @ 12:54am
     
    China nga naman, hahaha
       
  • Carfanatic May 07 2012 @ 08:08am
     
    Ganyan talaga when you do business in China, the biggest car market in the world. You can not enter their market without going in with a Chinese auto company. Nagmukhang cheap talaga ang mga ibang luxurious brands dahil sa compromise deal na yan.
       
  • DePendot May 07 2012 @ 11:51am
     
    Nakakadiri talaga mga Intsik.
       
  • boyet5 May 07 2012 @ 01:29pm
     
    crap..
       
  • one.edchelle May 07 2012 @ 04:55pm
     
    (sigh) these makes everything worst, chinese automobiles are too ashame of making their own design, engine, automobile by their own
       
  • fortis May 07 2012 @ 09:45pm
     
    Can't wait for a "How to destroy a Chinese Car" episode on Top Gear UK similar to what they did to a Toyota Hilux.
    :)
       
  • Lee17 May 08 2012 @ 08:27am
     
    Foday...... ROTFFLOLTISMSAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
       
  • isaac3654 May 08 2012 @ 04:01pm
     
    Watch Top Gear Season 18 Episode 2. It features the new SLS AMG Roadster, and, Chinese Copyright Cars. Ung part tungkol sa chinese car ay sobrang nakakatawa! Ikkwento din nila kung bakit nangongopya ang chinese in the first place! =)))) Ito btw ung link. Sorry sa late reply dun sa nagtanong skin. http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-18-episode-2_2371372.htm
       
  • Allain May 09 2012 @ 05:01pm
     
    Oo nga naman ang kakapal ng mukha nyong mangopya! Di na kayo nahiya! Tingnan nyo kaming mga Pinoy wala kaming kahilig hilig mangkopya...ang hilig namin eh mag criticize ng may gawa ng iba. Kayo may Dadi Shuttle na copy cat ng Prado kami may AUV ng Anfra na Orig design. Kayo may Geely GE kami...wala? Kayo may BYD S8 kami...wala? Kayo may Lifan 320 kami...wala? Ano bang meron tayo?Ahh Jeepney na ang makina surplus ng japan..Galing nating mga Pinoy!
       
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