Hyundai Gets What it Gives With Copycat Cars
by Richardson ~ November 24th, 2006. Filed under: China, Korean Culture.Hyundai is considering legal action against the Chinese manufacture of an SUV that has some strong design similarities to the Santa Fe (H/T Nomad). The Huanghai SUV was unveiled at the 2006 Beijing Auto Show:
Hyundai Santa Fe - - - - - Huanghai SUV
However Hyundai should not be so quick to condemn. Consider the Sonata, which ‘borrowed’ some design elements from Jaguar S and X-types:
Hyundai Sonata - - - - - Jaguar
Hyundai Sonata - - - - - Jaguar
Pot – Kettle – Black.
November 28th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
Why would they want to copy Jaguar???!!! The thing is UNRELIABLE!
I think Hyundai may be angling for the Jaguar look, but Toyota-Honda (Camry/Accord) reliability.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:22 am
And their 07 Santa Fe looks suspiciously like an Infiniti FX35
November 30th, 2006 at 1:33 am
Well, it can try to look like one, but it is not an Infiniti FX35… I know, I have the latter (and, yes, it is a sweet ride).
BTW, there is an interesting article about the Chinese auto industry in The Economist. I will excerpt when I have some time.
November 30th, 2006 at 11:18 am
What’s ironic is that this Chinese automaker is on the Yalu River just over the border from Korea, in Dandong. My guess is that its management is made up of some ethnically Korean members. It may just be an innocent affection for the creativity of the homeland. And as far as litigation is concerned, the game in the Middle Kingdom is not played by global rules.
Get a grip Hong..you are talking as if unification has already become a done deal.
December 15th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Well, since day one the idea at Hyundai was to give people the same think as the more POPULAR car brands but at a price they can afford. So yes they do look alot like other cars, thats the point. But the standard features are what you pay extra for with HONDA,NISSAN and the like with HYUNDAI they come with them.
If your asking yourself does he work for Hyundai?
Yes I do.
December 15th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
The point is not value, but hypocrisy.
December 16th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
We haven’t seen anything yet. Just wait until China (the kings of copying) ramps up its auto industry. The world will be flooded with cars that are marginally as good as the best selling brands, but at about 2/3’s the price.
Richardson…. I’ve been gone for about two months and am glad to see the blog is doing well. I didn’t know if the end of KL would leave a successful alternative.
December 17th, 2006 at 10:42 am
I might be the aesthetically challenged one in the bunch but all cars look like they come out of the same cookie cutter mold these days. As long as no one else starts pumping out ‘63 Stingrays or ‘69 Fastbacks and to take away from that classic American look.
Me? I’ve got my eye on the Dodge challenger concept car set to come out in ‘08. Let’s see ‘em xerox that piece of machinery, hemi and all.
December 17th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
Thanks, Kevin. Also check out Joshua’s blog, freekorea.us.
December 19th, 2006 at 10:44 am
I’m sorry the days of handcrafted cars are over MrChips.
September 12th, 2007 at 9:05 am
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