Land Rover wins case over copycat Evoque

As JLR wins a court case over a car ruled too similar to its Evoque, we revisit some of the more notable examples from the past

Autocar

22 March 2019

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Jaguar Land Rover has won a court case in China against the firm that produces a copycat version of the Range Rover Evoque, called the Landwind X7.

The Landwind X7, which is only sold in China, has become notorious for being a near-replica of the popular British compact SUV. Chinese laws have until now made it hard for global car makers to legally combat the practice.

Jaguar Land Rover has described its win in the unfair competition case as a “first in the global car industry”. The case has been underway for more than three years, having begun after the Landwind X7 was unveiled at the 2015 Guangzhou motor show.

In China, the Landwind X7 is priced at the equivalent of around £14,000 (US$18,000) – significantly less than the £40,000-plus (US$52,000) of the locally produced Evoque.

The decision issued by the Beijing Chaoyang District Court said that the Evoque has five unique features that were copied directly in the X7 built by Jiangling Motor Corporation (JMC) and that the similarity of the two vehicles has led to widespread consumer confusion. The court said that all sales, manufacturing and marketing of the X7 must stop immediately, and that Jaguar Land Rover be paid compensation.

The Landwind X7 is far from the only Chinese lookalike. In this feature we take a look at some other examples in recent years:
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BYD Yuan EV360 (FORD ECOSPORT)

This electric SUV was launched in China in May 2018, by Chinese firm BYD and it may look quite familiar.
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FORD ECOSPORT

The Indian-built EcoSport greatly disappointed us with its overall quality standards when it first appeared on sale in 2014. Endlessly facelifted since to try to get it up to par, it still doesn’t make it.

Of all the cars to want to take design ‘inspiration’ from, the early Ford EcoSport isn’t one of them. But the BYD has done just that.
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CHANGAN EADO GT (MAZDA 3)

Notice anything familiar about this Changan hatchback, on display at the Guangzhou motor show in 2018? We detect heavy inspiration from the Mazda 3.
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MAZDA 3

Often unfairly seen as an also-ran in the fight between the Golf, Focus and Astra, the 3 is a sweet handling family hatchback, and offers the increasingly rare option of having a non-turbo petrol engine to boot. A new generation model has recently been unveiled.
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BJ40 PLUS (JEEP WRANGLER)

China is yet to fully wean itself off the copycat culture, as the BJ40 proves. The Jeep Wrangler wannabe isn’t a new model, but this even more rugged Plus version is. Its maker is the state-owned BAIC, which is based in Beijing.
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JEEP WRANGLER

We think we prefer the Wrangler, however.
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CHANGAN CS85 (BMW X4)

What comes after the SUV? The SUV-coupé, a trend that has now spread to China. Changan’s CS85 had a large crowd around it at the Guangzhou motor show in 2018, with many noticing a strong resemblance to the first BMW X4 in profile. To be fair Changan’s own styling features throughout the rest of its latest model.
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BMW X4

The original X4 launched in 2014, but had a short shelf-life, being replaced earlier this year with a sharper-looking take on the SUV-coupe approach.

These are just the latest exmples - now let's take a look at some of the more notable members of this club over the years:
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BEIJING AUTO BJ80 (MERCEDES G-CLASS)

It may look familiar; it’s China’s unwelcome answer to the old Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6.
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MERCEDES G-CLASS

This is the G-Class G63 AMG 6x6. The original and best.
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LANDWIND X7 (RANGE ROVER EVOQUE)

The X7 made waves in 2015 for its remarkable impression of the Range Rover Evoque. In fact, Land Rover was so impressed that it took Landwind to task over the X7.
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RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

Perhaps one impact was that Land Rover later shied away from producing a preview concept of its Velar SUV - the car unveiled in 2017 was the one you could buy.

Initially Chinese authorities took the side of Landwind and the X7 was put on sale. However, in March 2019 the Beijing Chaoyang District Court ruled that the Evoque has five unique features that were copied directly in the X7 built by Jiangling Motor Corporation (JMC) and that the similarity of the two vehicles has led to widespread consumer confusion. It ordered the X7 be removed from sale.

"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,” said a JLR spokesperson.
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CHANGAN X70A (LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4)

Even discontinued models are not safe from China's copycat designers. The design of the Land Rover Discovery 4, which was replaced in 2017, has been used to inspire the Changan X70A, a large SUV from the Chongqing-based car maker.
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LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4

While the front looks different, the car's side profile is unmistakably Disco-derived.
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WEIKERUI V7 (VOLKSWAGEN E-UP)

A recent addition to the clone club is the Weikerui V7, or in layman's terms, the Volkswagen e-Up clone.
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VOLKSWAGEN E-UP

Even the badge on the front apes the Volkswagen logo.
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ZOTYE SR9 (PORSCHE MACAN)

The body of a Stuttgart bestseller has been copied to produce this, the new Zotye SR9 (left). The SR9 will initially come with just one engine – a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit sourced from Mitsubishi developing 187bhp and 184lb ft of torque. The Macan is pictured right.
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LIFAN 320 (MINI)

The Lifan 320 is a 1.3-litre supermini produced by Lifan. First revealed at the 2008 Beijing motor show, it gained notoriety for its similarity to the Mini hatch.
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MINI

A facelift in 2013 distanced it from the Mini comparisons, but the car now bears more resemblance to the Fiat 500 - curious.
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SHUANGHUAN SCEO (BMW X5)

It may have the front end of the first-gen Lexus RX, but the model goes elsewhere further back
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SHUANGHUAN SCEO (BMW X5)

In profile and rear views the influence of the original-model BMW X5 is impossible to miss.
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BMW X5

BMW certainly didn’t miss it, taking Shuanghuan to court over the SCEO. As a result, the car was banned in Germany.
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CH AUTO LITHIA (AUDI R8)

You’d think the Audi R8’s distinctive profile could only feature on the R8, but CH Auto liked the design so much that it decided it would work well on the Lithia – its electric supercar.
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AUDI R8

The front and rear aren’t so familiar, and are both distinctive and attractive, but the profile is unmistakably R8.
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GEELY BEAUTY LEOPARD (HYUNDAI COUPE)

Proving that China’s automotive copycat culture isn’t a new thing, the Geely BL managed to take inspiration from the Hyundai Coupe (next picture) at the front and the Toyota Supra at the rear.
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HYUNDAI COUPE

Thankfully, Geely hasn’t taken the same approach to design with Volvo, which it acquired in 2010.
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YOUXIA RANGER X (TESLA MODEL S)

Resembling the Tesla Model S both inside and out, the Youxia – Chinese for Knight Rider (yes, that one) - features Kitt-inspired LCD lights inspired by its namesake. A 0-62mph time of 5.6sec and range of 286 miles are claimed.
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TESLA MODEL S

When contacted, Tesla would not comment on the car.
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SHUANGHUAN AUTO NOBLE (SMART FORTWO)

Don’t let the name fool you; this car is neither a copy of the Noble M600, nor are its design intentions noble. Despite its appearance and similarity to the two-seat Smart Fortwo, the Noble has seating for four.
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SMART FORTWO

Although how comfortably those four can be seated is unknown.
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DOJO PIONEER (ASTON MARTIN CYGNET)

If you were to choose an Aston Martin car to copy, the chances are you wouldn’t choose the Cygnet. Called the Pioneer, Dojo’s copycat car is an all-electric Cygnet clone.
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ASTON MARTIN CYGNET

The Cygnet was itself based on the Toyota iQ (although not copied, we hasten to add). Range for the Pioneer is quoted at 75 miles, while top speed is a blistering 37mph.
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YOGOMO S325 (RANGE ROVER EVOQUE)

As copycats go, this one's an innovator. The front end and rear lights are miniaturised versions of the Range Rover Evoque, but everything else is a tall, awkward supermini.
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RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

On this occasion, we don't think JLR will be losing any sleep over the car stealing the Evoque's sales.
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YOGOMO 330 (KIA PICANTO)

Kia, on the other hand, may be a little cross about this. The Yogomo 330 is one of the closest copycats we've seen.
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KIA PICANTO

Although where a knock-off version of a cheap supermini (Kia Picanto pictured) will find sales will be the real test.
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GEELY MERRIE 300 (MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS)

From the rear, the Geely Merrie is another anonymous Chinese saloon. From the front, it's a Mercedes-Benz C-Class. There's no slight tweaks or alterations here, just a C-Class's front end, complete with Merc-inspired (read copied) hood ornament emblem.
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MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS

Spot the difference.
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BYD (BMW)

And it's not just cars. The BMW roundel was also plundered, albeit in a tweaked form. It's clear to see where BYD got inspiration for the font, colour scheme, shape and layout of its first logo. A Chinese clothing brand also faced legal action from BMW over its 'BMN' roundel. BYD now uses a different logo, red in colour.
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BMW

We think the original is still the best.

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