Chinese manufacturers are probably not afraid of copying anything. The pictures show that the Chinese managed to copy such brands as Mercedes, BMW, Smart Cars and even a whole bus. Chinese manufacturers also copy the badges, slightly changing the name.
A Chinese company entitled Haunghai Automobile was definitely not afraid of violating the rights of Hyundai, which created Santa Fe. The Chinese manufacturer duplicated Santa Fe, its car looking just like Hyundai's SUV. What is most amazing is that both cars were presented at the Beijing Auto Show. During the auto show the majority of industry insiders came up to one conclusion that the whole front of the Chinese car is copied from the Santa Fe, including the radiator grill and head lamps.
The rest of the car looks pretty much like another representative from the Korean auto industry – KIA. The company's Kia Sorento probably served as the main (if not the only) source of inspiration for the Chinese manufacturers. However, Hyundai Motor is currently the only threat for Haunghai Automobile, who is accused of stealing the design. It is most likely that the Korean car manufacturer will analyze the impact of Haunghai's creation on the sales of Santa Fe in China before filing the lawsuit. The legal actions will be taken in case the sales in China will severely affect Hyundai.



Another Chinese company, based in Shandong, made a copy of Smart but after Daimler-Chrysler filed complaints against the Chinese replica, the company that created the copy stopped its production. Huo Yun EV, the Chinese vehicle, is in fact different from Smart, especially regarding its engine. The car it runs on an electric engine and not a gasoline powered one. Huo Yun EV reaches 31 mph and its batteries can hold up to 75 miles.
According to an article written in Economist, fake cars that are manufactured by such firms as Shuanghuan Automobile and Chery, are probably be the most complicated. In the picture there are BMW's X5 and the Shuanghuan CEO.
The average car features 6,000 parts without counting the number of people that fit these parts together in a way that the car can actually be driven. It is amazing how the Chinese are able to make a profit. A real car needs a material cost that cannot be compensated only by cheap labor force. The Economists writes:
"That they can sell these cars for half the price of the originals suggests that something odd is going on. They either do know their own costs (a distinct possibility), have revolutionized car-making (highly unlikely) or are being subsidized in some way. For the time being, no one knows."
Surprisingly enough Italians also managed to copy a car. Italians were always famous for purchasing exclusive and fashionable bags from Gucci and watches of the popular Swiss brands. At the end of February, 2008, police discovered a new wave of accurate copying. The manufacturers were able to break up the ring trading with fake Ferrari vehicles for a real price fraction.
The police accused 15 individuals of faking red Ferrari sports cars and putting them up for sale to fans of the brand. It is worth mentioning that some of the Ferrari fans were aware of the fact that they purchase a counterfeit car.
People who produced counterfeit Ferrari cars used a few original parts but most of the parts were fakes. The body parts were taken from cars of other brands. These parts included: chassis, roofs, hoods, trunks and doors. Workers modified the part so they would look like the original ones. Some of the counterfeit Ferrari cars were sold for 20,000 euros, which is approximately 1/10th of the price of genuine Ferrari. Police managed to confiscate 21 cars, seven being produced in Sicilian garages and 14 already sold.
However, not only Italians can accurately fake Ferraris. The Chinese are in the field as well. Franco Frattini, the European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, stated that the Chinese were able to make a counterfeit Ferrari car.
"This is the seventh one, produced in China" mentioned Frattini.
The EC stated that it is going to crack the illegal business down. It has recommended a punishment of minimum four years in prison. The fine that the European Commission puts on fake product manufacturers is at least 100,000 Euro and in case there is a connection with a criminal organization or the business carries a health risk the fine may reach 300,000 Euro.
The members of the European Union may impose greater penalties or fines.
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