At first glance, the new car unveiled at a motor show appeared to be an updated model of the Range Rover Evoque. With its signature body shape, lights and radiator grill and silver logo across the front edge of its bonnet, it was the spitting image of the British bestseller. But in fact, it was a brazen copy of the hugely popular UK-designed ‘baby’ off-roader – and a fraction of the price.
Little-known Chinese carmaker LandWind launched its £14,000 X7 at the Guangzhou motor show in China last week. Its uncanny similarity to the £40,000-plus Evoque’s distinctive design provoked an angry response from Jaguar Land Rover, which may take legal action to protect its brand.
The British manufacturer has just opened its first car factory in China in a venture with local firm Chery. Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Dr Ralf Speth told Autocar magazine: ‘The fact that this kind of copying is ongoing in China is very disappointing. The intellectual property (IP) is owned by Jaguar Land Rover and if you break that IP then you are in breach of international regulations.’
But drivers looking for a fashionable car at a bargain price might want to wait for safety inspection results. LandWind’s earlier CV9 people-carrier scored just two stars out of five in European crash tests in 2010.
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