WTF, how do they get away with this??

[CK4500]

I am sure this will lead to a war!

They are copying everything in China.

A few years back they cloned the CRV, Rav4, now a Mini Clone.

Clicky Clicky

Lifan 3-Series: Chinese Create 5door MINI Cooper Clone!


Here we go again; the list with Chinese knockoffs has been enhanced with the addition of a MINI clone made by a carmaker called Lifan. The Lifan 3-Series (how ironic…) was introduced to the Chinese media today, and according to the translation we made from the clonemaker’s official site, the MINI(cat) will go on sale in China during the first half of the year.
Amusingly, Lifan decided to create a 5-door version of BMW Group’s MINI. Even though the Lifan 320 is somewhat disproportioned compared to the original MINI, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the resemblances between the two cars. Check out other Chinese clones here: Cadillac, Smart, Fiat Panda, Scion & Toyota RAV-4 -More pictures of the Chinese MINI after the jump

Official Statement (translated from Chinese)

Tencent vehicle - Recently, the Lifan 320 Weijiao finally lifted the veil of mystery. We have seen through the picture, Lifan The compact cars and MINI very similar, will produce cars there will not be much change. No accident, the first half of this year, this compact cars will be met with consumers. Reportedly, which amounted to 2.6 m wheelbase cars.

[01RedDX]

.

[ZorroAMG]

LMAO at the Chinese "designers" of anything.

[blownz]

I have zero respect for the government and auto companies there.

I would totally block them from selling in NA if I had the power to do so.

[clem24]

Ahahaha that car looks hilarious actually. The resemblance is there, but it's been beat with an ugly stick. And love the checker pattern on the side. That definitely adds 10 hp to it's 30 hp engine. Though IMO, it looks more like an updated Daihatsu with Mini styling cues.

[ekguy]

they have very lenient copyright laws as well from what I heard.

[ZorroAMG]

You THINK?

[SCHIDER23]

probably doesn't even work lmao

[alloroc]

WTF how do they get away with it?

China is Socialist country - meaning everyone who has their share has to give it to the gov't. who then redistributes it - amoungst the government who then backs clone car manufacturing.

Got a problem with that .. speak up to the government .. who will then promptly run you over with a cloned tank.

[gpomp]

keep in mind that these cars don't sell. if you have been to china you'll know that everyone drives vw's and buicks.

[canuckcarguy]

They have no respect for international patent law in any circumstances, hence the flood of counterfeit items into North America - we all heard about the toxic toothpaste, but also lead toys and tons of beauty / grooming products that are difficult to tell from the real thing.

Fortunately, so far none of their cars will pass north american or european crash tests, so they're not here... yet.

[Toms-SC]

Answer: It's China