Land Rover boss hits out at ‘copy-paste’ Chinese cars such as Landwind X7
Land Rover boss Ralph Speth has hit out at ‘copy-paste’ Chinese motors, taking inspiration from the Range Rover Evoque, in particular the Landwind X7 which was unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show last year.
Commentators have stated that the Chinese car looks almost identical to Land Rover's Evoque entry. The Landwind X7 will pose a threat to the Jaguar-owned company, as both models will be competing in the Chinese market.
Additionally, Jaguar’s lead designer Ian Callum, in November tweeted an image accusing the Landwind X7 of duplicating a design - although he failed to mention whose designs were copied.
New Land Wind from China. At Guangzhou auto show. Haven't we seen this before somewhere?? pic.twitter.com/dt9U85YDlY
— Ian Callum (@IanCallum) November 19, 2014
Speth, who is chief executive of Land Rover, told the Financial Times: “I really regret that all of a sudden copy-paste is coming up again, that will not help the reputation of China, of Chinese industry at all.”
Furthermore, In November, Speth told the Wall Street Journal that there was little that could be done to address the issue.
“There are no laws to protect us, so we have to take it as it is, in Europe, we can be protected against this kind of copy-paste in the design language, in the features but also the technology,” adding "you can’t be protected in China.”
The Landwind X7 is scheduled for release in China this summer for £14,000, whereas the Evoque will retail for as much as £40,000.
Landwind Motors dubbed the accusation "irresponsible" and asserted that it had adhered to Chinese regulations when designing and producing the car.
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