Skip advert
Advertisement

Land Rover wins court dispute over Chinese copycat

Land Rover has announced its success in a legal battle regarding the similarity between the Evoque and the Chinese-made LandWind X7

Range Rover Evoque at Geneva2

Jaguar Land Rover has won a legal battle against the Chinese car manufacturer, Jiangling, after raising a case of copyright infringement in 2016. Until now, the Chinese firm has sold an SUV which bears a clear resemblance to the Range Rover Evoque, called the LandWind X7, which the Chinese judicial system has now deemed unsuitable for sale.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Beijing Chaoyang District Court ruled that the LandWind X7’s similarity to the Range Rover Evoque has caused widespread consumer confusion, outlining five major design aspects which the Chinese car plagiarised from the British car. These include its basic silhouette, its roofline, its headlights and the near-identical body creases down the car’s flanks.

Unbelievable Chinese copycat cars

As a result of its piracy, Jiangling must withdraw all LandWind X7s from the market and pay compensation to JLR. Keith Benjamin, JLR’s Global Legal Director, commented on the outcome, stating, “we welcome this decision of the Beijing court, which further strengthens our confidence in investing in China.

LandWind X7

“This ruling is a clear sign of the law being implemented appropriately to protect consumers and uphold their rights so that they are not confused or misled, whilst protecting business investment in design and innovation.”

Land Rover’s concerns over the Chinese copycat car were first raised in 2016. At the launch of the updated 2018 Range Rover, the firm’s design boss, Gerry McGovern, said the company was “wary of showing new concepts” because of such incidents.

McGovern was concerned that the design of a forthcoming car could be copied from the concept before Land Rover could launch the production version. Shortly after the new Range Rover’s launch, the British firm filed an updated copyright for the Evoque’s design and an unfair competition complaint against Jiangling Motors.

“The success of Jaguar Land Rover is based partly on its unique design and engineering attributes, which we believe are worth protecting across all markets,” said a further JLR spokesperson.

Land Rover isn’t the only brand to fall victim to alleged copycat designs. Chinese manufacturer Zotye has previously gained notoriety for producing models which seem to be copy-and-paste versions of the Porsche Macan, VW Tiguan and Smart ForTwo.

Now check out our round-up of some of the most blatant Chinese copycat cars...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Land Rover’s theft problems subside as stolen car numbers hit three-year low
Land Rover Defender - front tracking

Land Rover’s theft problems subside as stolen car numbers hit three-year low

A package of measures implemented by Jaguar Land Rover to address the issue of its cars being stolen seems to be doing the trick
News
8 Nov 2024
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
6 Nov 2024
The scariest cars we've ever driven
Scariest cars we've ever driven - header image

The scariest cars we've ever driven

The Auto Express team have cast their minds back to the scariest cars they’ve had to endure
Best cars & vans
31 Oct 2024
JLR is moving in the opposite direction to VW-Audi and Hyundai-Kia, and that’s not a good thing
Opinion - JLR

JLR is moving in the opposite direction to VW-Audi and Hyundai-Kia, and that’s not a good thing

Instead of following the successful business model adopted by VW-Audi, Toyota-Lexus and Hyundai-Kia, Mike Rutherford thinks JLR is moving in the oppos…
Opinion
4 Aug 2024

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
Best used cars to buy 2024
Best used cars 2024

Best used cars to buy 2024

From city cars to large SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
Best cars & vans
20 Nov 2024
New Jaguar logos unveiled as big concept reveal moves closer
New Jaguar logo 1

New Jaguar logos unveiled as big concept reveal moves closer

Jaguar has revealed its new logos and styling details ahead of its transition into a luxury EV brand
News
19 Nov 2024