BMW CEO Fuming Over Chinese Knock-Off Of Popular X5 SUV. (Pics)

CEOSMACK ^ | 8/28/07

[LibWhacker]

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is not happy. In a case which proves that nothing is immune to the sleight of hand of Chinese manufacturers and their ability and willingness to clone any product on earth, BMW has been forced to threaten legal action over a cheap knock-off version of their popular X5 SUV.

The Chinese-made SUV which ironically enough is called CEO is almost identical in appearance to BMW’s X5…especially from the rear.

“We have already taken steps against the marketing of the CEO (SUV) in Europe. Should this car be presented at the IAA, we will look into taking further legal steps,” a BMW spokesman said.

Forbes reports that Karl Schloessl, the owner of independent importer China Automobile Deutschland said he knew nothing of the legal action, but said it might well help sales of the model.Schloessl said he is planning to sell the cars at around 100 dealerships in Germany starting in October…again proving there is no shame among the Chinese or the vendors who get rich selling their knock-off merchandise.

The BMW X5 is pictured on the left and the Chinese CEO SUV is on the right.

[L98Fiero]

“Um, the pricks make jokes about the people who drive them?”

Come now, it’s a funny joke. Some of the biggest jerks I have ever met drove Corvettes. That said, I’d have one in a second. I laugh at that old joke but if I had the jack for an M3, I’d buy one tomorrow.

Check my name and just guess how many auto-related jabs I take. I don’t take them seriously and neither should you.

[Rightone]

Not bad from the front:

[NonValueAdded]

pro’lly needs leaded gas.

[pierstroll]

can’t say station wagon, crossovers don’t you know. My neighbor really got tight when I saw her car and said nice station wagon.

[mikeus_maximus]

Message to BMW CEO: The target market of X5's is the US. People buy BMW's because of the upscale cache. Junk made in China is, well, junk made in China.

No worries.

[Sicon]

Have no fear, I wasn't taking the joke seriously at all - I was just seeing if I could turn it around. After all, there are lots of tools driving every type of vehicle, and lots of wonderful people driving them all as well.

Anyway, you have my condolences on the whole Fiero thing!

[Osage Orange]

You can eat a porcupine...

Well I wouldn't...but some things do.

[caver]

“a taurus looks like a bar of dove soap”

A Taurus is the perfect bar of used soap.

[dashing doofus]

“What’s the difference between a BMW and a porcupine....”

LOL. I thought it was a Porsche and a porcupine....

[kkalman]

“The bitterness of low quality remains long after
the sweetness if low price has been forgotten.”

[dashing doofus]

The Japaneses have been doing this for years

What Japanese car manufacturer would be stupid enough to try to duplicate an American car?? Detroit should try to copy Japan's cars.

[BallyBill]

I would never have known the difference by looking.

I have no doubt the German vehicle doesn't use lead paint.

[Diggity]

LOL especially when the transmission falls out on the way home from the lot.

John

[dashing doofus]

LOL especially when the transmission falls out on the way home from the lot.

When it fails the crash test, miserably, the Chinese will react badly.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

But you could see incremental improvement in everything the Japanese did with autos. The Chinese seem to be approaching things in a haphazard manner. Obviously they are unconscious of the PR impact of their blunders (killing household pets with poisoned dog food ingredients and putting lead paint on children’s toys?). I’m not sure they are on a path paralleling the Japanese yet.

[MJemison]

A guy I worked with said all new cars looked like a used bar of soap.

Or a soybean.

[DCPatriot]

You’re kidding?

Looks like Will Smith’s car in I, ROBOT.

Looks like an attachment to my Kirby vacuum cleaner. ;^)

[taxed2death]

Not much to worry about....the effin chinks can’t even build a simple copier machine even when we supply them with blueprints (based on personal experience).

So to actually “wing it” and build a COPY of something....lordy, lordy, lordy....you wouldn’t catch me riding in that crap-box.

[DCPatriot]

It’s really a Corvette and a porcupine. ;^)

[billakay]

Hey I think you mean Porsches...not all BMW owners are pricks :-p