Don't just blame the Chinese, everybody out here's a copycat!!

salilpawar1 · 9th March 2007, 17:44

Quote:

I guess now you can udnerstand the difference between "Inspiration or Inspired by" and "Blatant Rip-Of"f

Dear Mods,
I think the thread should be CLOSED now (many would agree). I never wanted this discussion to be a BIG BAD ARGUMENT SESSION.

My personal conclusions from this thread:

1) The Chinese are big fat copycats. I never had any doubt about that.

2) Taking a few bits from here and there = "INSPIRATION"
Complete copying = "COPYING"
So by the same logic, if a scene from a bollywood movie is copied from a hollywood movie, it is "INSPIRATION". If the whole movie is copied, it is "COPYING".

3) If a big manufacturer has a car which has some design cues similar to a successful car, it is Inspiration. If the manufacturer is a smaller one, then it is copied. I can find some examples where a car made by a smaller manufacturer with some famous design elements branded as "rip-offs".

4) I think there is a myth developed that bigger manufacturers can never copy... even if one of their models do appear a bit copy, then it is purely a "coincidence".

5) I still stand by all my views. I am not saying that Chinese are not copycats.

I can still give many more examples with pictorial proof but it is going to be a waste of time...

rahul_intlad · 9th March 2007, 18:59

Salil I dont think there is any problem with the thread, your point is absolutely valid The chinese are not the only copy cats,just that their way of copying is a bit too much for anyone to pass off lightly.

sbasak · 9th March 2007, 22:28

I just can't believe my eyes! Looks like they have used a photocopy machine to copy cars!

BTW, how much does that fake Merc cost?

theMAG · 10th March 2007, 04:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by spadival

So its not just the western designs they are ripping off.

Actually, we're a western country geographically to China

MaserQ · 10th March 2007, 04:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

Thanks Rahul. And that link says it all. Rip-off is the word.

The pics say it all. The Chinese blatantly make imitations of other successful vehicles, whereas certain other manufacturers are inspired by other designs/styling elements from rival car companies.

Also, cars of a certain generation tend to follow certain 'trends' that are started by a few designers and then catches on. (flame surfacing/i-drive by BMW, Gaping grille by Audi)

salilpawar1 · 10th March 2007, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaserQ

Also, cars of a certain generation tend to follow certain 'trends' that are started by a few designers and then catches on. (flame surfacing/i-drive by BMW, Gaping grille by Audi)

Then why is this car termed as a copy? Apart from the grille (and maybe a slight resemblance in headlamps), nothing is common between the two cars.

This is what the source Automotoportal.com quotes:

Quote:

In some comparison pictures, you can’t even tell the original from the copy, as in the case of the SMA Shanghai Maple and the Audi S4 Cabrio.

From what I've heard, it should be a copy, only if it appears identical from all angles. Anyway, the so-called "copy" is not even a cabrio. And apart from the front end, there is nothing similar in both cars..

amit · 10th March 2007, 13:21

I couldn't make out any difference between the Chinese and the original Smart!

About the Swift and Fabia, yes they look very similar but it's difficult to say who copied whom. I am guessing both the cars were being designed around the same time. Swift was launched in 2004(?), which means the designing must have started in 2002. The Fabia's re-design must have started around the same time isnt it? So who copied whom? I had a very similar discussion with one of my prospective clients in a VW dealership in Toronto. He said that the new Jetta's tail lamps made the cars rear look very similar to the Corolla. This is true, but the MK VI Golf was introduced in Europe in 2002. The Corolla was launched in US/Canada around the same time too which means both the cars were being designed around the same time and in this case the Corolla was being designed in Japan or US (it's biggest markets) while the Golf in Europe. It's really difficult to say who made the design first. For Canadians, Jetta looks like Corolla because Corolla was launched in the market first, so people saw it first. Maybe the way the Golf was designed made the Jetta rear look like the Corolla even though that wasn't the intention of the designers? Couldn't that be a possiblity too? But yea, the Chinese are blatant copy cats. No doubts about that!

I still can't believe the Smart design copy. What is the difference between the two?!

300 KMPH · 10th March 2007, 17:03

Check out the similar rear ends of the new Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

Hyundai Elantra

salilpawar1 · 19th March 2007, 16:34

Bajaj has been copying the Piaggio Ape and is still copying it. (not to mention the old Vespa scooters)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
The old Piaggio Ape

Bajaj FE

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The new Piaggio Ape

Bajaj GC1000

Mahindra Alpha Champion has copied the design too....!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

This might be a coincidence but check out the similarities.

Volkswagen Logo (turned by 90 degrees)

Bajaj Logo

Bluetooth Logo

What do you all guys think??

esteem_lover · 19th March 2007, 16:39

Well, how different can you design this stupid 3 wheeled contraption, although i might be interested if someone incorporates 1% of safety aspect for driver, driven & others.

sajo · 19th March 2007, 17:29

Just check out this post by Ram. : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/394237-post41.html

salilpawar1 · 19th March 2007, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajo

Just check out this post by Ram. : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/394237-post41.html

This is what Ram has posted:

Quote:

Here's a convoy of Chinese-made diesel Dongfeng EQ2050s on a bitterly cold Mongolian morning. Unlike the H2 this is as tough as the American HMMWV.

And this is the SFQ-2040 "Zhanshen" (meaning WarGod) made by Shenyang Aircraft Industry Co (SAC), China.

Its price is only one third of the price of the U.S.-made HMMWV.
It's carrying an air defence missile system by Běifāng Gōngyè, China
against missiles, UAWs, low-flying aircraft and helicopters.

Humvee clones in India....HUNKY and TUFFY......Funny Names

ananthkamath · 20th March 2007, 06:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by salilpawar1

This might be a coincidence but check out the similarities.

Volkswagen Logo (turned by 90 degrees)

Bajaj Logo

Bluetooth Logo

What do you all guys think??

I think this is plain funny, turning the VW logo by 90 degrees.

salilpawar1 · 30th March 2007, 14:38

Another *inspired* design??

salilpawar1 · 30th March 2007, 14:52

Mercedes Vario/ Tempo Excel and Tata 407

I am not sure whether Merc and Tata had any contract during that time...
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Honda Cub and Bajaj M80

So, what moral right does Bajaj have to sue a Chinese bike maker who has made a copy of the pulsar

??

9th March 2007, 18:59	#32
rahul_intlad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 1,579 Thanked: 4 Times	Salil I dont think there is any problem with the thread, your point is absolutely valid The chinese are not the only copy cats,just that their way of copying is a bit too much for anyone to pass off lightly. Last edited by rahul_intlad : 9th March 2007 at 19:04.
	() Thanks

9th March 2007, 22:28	#33
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 608 Thanked: 14 Times	I just can't believe my eyes! Looks like they have used a photocopy machine to copy cars! BTW, how much does that fake Merc cost?
	() Thanks

10th March 2007, 13:21	#37
amit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,717 Thanked: 449 Times	I couldn't make out any difference between the Chinese and the original Smart! About the Swift and Fabia, yes they look very similar but it's difficult to say who copied whom. I am guessing both the cars were being designed around the same time. Swift was launched in 2004(?), which means the designing must have started in 2002. The Fabia's re-design must have started around the same time isnt it? So who copied whom? I had a very similar discussion with one of my prospective clients in a VW dealership in Toronto. He said that the new Jetta's tail lamps made the cars rear look very similar to the Corolla. This is true, but the MK VI Golf was introduced in Europe in 2002. The Corolla was launched in US/Canada around the same time too which means both the cars were being designed around the same time and in this case the Corolla was being designed in Japan or US (it's biggest markets) while the Golf in Europe. It's really difficult to say who made the design first. For Canadians, Jetta looks like Corolla because Corolla was launched in the market first, so people saw it first. Maybe the way the Golf was designed made the Jetta rear look like the Corolla even though that wasn't the intention of the designers? Couldn't that be a possiblity too? But yea, the Chinese are blatant copy cats. No doubts about that! I still can't believe the Smart design copy. What is the difference between the two?!
	() Thanks

10th March 2007, 17:03	#38
300 KMPH BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 210 Thanked: 1,022 Times	Check out the similar rear ends of the new Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla Toyota Corolla Hyundai Elantra
	() Thanks

19th March 2007, 16:34	#39
salilpawar1 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (MH-01) Posts: 852 Thanked: 247 Times View My Garage	Bajaj--A copycat too?? Bajaj has been copying the Piaggio Ape and is still copying it. (not to mention the old Vespa scooters) ----------------------------------------------------------------- The old Piaggio Ape Bajaj FE ----------------------------------------------------------------- The new Piaggio Ape Bajaj GC1000 Mahindra Alpha Champion has copied the design too....!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- This might be a coincidence but check out the similarities. Volkswagen Logo (turned by 90 degrees) Bajaj Logo Bluetooth Logo What do you all guys think??
	() Thanks

19th March 2007, 16:39	#40
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Well, how different can you design this stupid 3 wheeled contraption, although i might be interested if someone incorporates 1% of safety aspect for driver, driven & others.
	() Thanks

19th March 2007, 17:29	#41
sajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 2,625 Thanked: 1,153 Times	Just check out this post by Ram. : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/394237-post41.html
	() Thanks

30th March 2007, 14:38	#44
salilpawar1 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (MH-01) Posts: 852 Thanked: 247 Times View My Garage	Mini Cooper and HM Ambassador Avigo Another *inspired* design?? Last edited by salilpawar1 : 30th March 2007 at 14:40.
	() Thanks

30th March 2007, 14:52	#45
salilpawar1 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (MH-01) Posts: 852 Thanked: 247 Times View My Garage	Some more... Mercedes Vario/ Tempo Excel and Tata 407 I am not sure whether Merc and Tata had any contract during that time... ------------------------------------------------------------------- Honda Cub and Bajaj M80 So, what moral right does Bajaj have to sue a Chinese bike maker who has made a copy of the pulsar ?? Last edited by salilpawar1 : 30th March 2007 at 14:53.
	() Thanks