Daimler loses court battle over shuanghuany thingey...

[RACNXTG3]

take a look!

Daimler loses - Greek court rules in favor of Chinese smart fortwo clone - Worldcarfans

for a clone?! ... THIS WORLD IS ......!!!
no not really...

[forestacademy]

The Greek court determined that "an informed buyer would not confuse the Noble with the Smart Fortwo." They also stated that because the two vehicles offer different technical specifications, any exterior styling similarities are irrelevant and almost inevitable because they're both mini-cars.

Not like the uninformed over here who think we drive TaTa Nano's

While many of us are likely to label the court's decision as ludicrous, it follows similar legal precedents set in other European court battles against an onslaught of Chinese clones.
Thankfully, many of the Chinese copies that eventually reach European markets typically fare poorly as consumers balk at their horrid questionable safety, quality and dismal reliability

Yeah US Safey regulations. Those cars become Low Speed Vehicles here and no one wan't them.


I can cirtainly see Daimlers problem with them. If someone get in an accident in one suddenly it's all over the place how unsafe it is because we all know the press will make sure thay know if its a smart or not.

Just remember folks, when the photos come in of one of these smashed, it has 4 lugs on the wheels and the smart has 3. That may be the only way to tell after it's crumpled into a small ball

[fpage77]

They are morons they 100% copied the 450 right down to the vertical door handles and the side back windows by hatchback area.

[John_H]

any exterior styling similarities are irrelevant and almost inevitable because they're both mini-cars

So a giant vehicle that looks almost exactly like a Hummer would look like one because they're both giganto vehicles?

It's not about confusion, it's about copying.

[Old smart]

The Soviets routinely engaged in reverse-engineering immediately after WWII. To some extent, the Russians still do.

[RACNXTG3]

this is stupid that the court cannot see this. i mean?! I heard on this same site that BYD was going to copy the Porsche Cayenne, if they do then it's gonna be pretty serious between Porsche and shuan. same shuan company copied the bimmer x3 and i think BMW lost the case.

[John_H]

The real issue has to be that the "informed buyer" isn't affected by the copy; it's the uninformed populace who doesn't know the difference and starts associating the vehicles as the same - those are the problems. One doesn't become an informed buyer without initially being uninformed and pursuing the information because they like what they see (which may not be the case if they frequently see the knockoffs).

[smark]

The Noble's is a bigger car. Engine is in the front, and it has a rear seat. A tin can with no safety in mind. 4 lug wheels. They just painted a silver/black stripe down the side. Front wheel drive. The inside looks like a old 450 Smart. Saw them in China. The IQ looks like a Smart from a distance too.




Here's early version of the Noble car. Pretty close in styling

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblogg...hina-smart.jpg

[EdwardDennis]

Originally Posted by Old smart

The Soviets routinely engaged in reverse-engineering immediately after WWII. To some extent, the Russians still do.

Absolutely. IMZ-Ural development is a classic example. Textbook stuff.

[Duckhunter]

Originally Posted by Old smart

The Soviets routinely engaged in reverse-engineering immediately after WWII. To some extent, the Russians still do.

They did copy the B-29

Russian Aviation Page: Soviet B-29, a Tupolev Tu-4 Story