ooks of. I think the reason I like it is because it has the iconic twin kidney grills of BMW on the front end. The first time I saw this car, I had to do a double take because I was not aware of a new BMW model coming out. Poor BMW. There are two other makers here who have designed their logos to be oh so very close to that of BMW.Invest in a Copycat?

I drive here in China. I love cars too. Always have. I read all of the magazines I can get here or load up when in the states. I am always intrigued when I see a model that is completely new to me. I want to know more about it, where it came from. You would think that cars being the high value, high visibility consumer item that they are would not be something that was easily copied. Amazingly, you would be wrong. There are a number of cases of Chinese copy cars that have been publicized and some auto makers have tried suing or at least making a media outcry. The copy that sticks in my mind at the moment is the Honda CRV. Although they have just released a new model that does look different, for at least 3 or 4 years, you would often see two versions of the Honda on the road. One was a Honda of course, and one looked almost exactly like it (Chinese copy), just slightly longer with poor fit and finish.

I always chuckle inwardly at the brazenness of this tactic. Now, the company that makes this CRV like machine does charge much less than Honda for their CRV. Consequently, there are a lot of them around and it could be called a success. Sometimes it is not a direct copy of a product that you see, rather a more subtle visual cue. There is a particular Chinese made car that I like the looks of. I think the reason I like it is because it has the iconic twin kidney grills of BMW on the front end. The first time I saw this car, I had to do a double take because I was not aware of a new BMW model coming out. Poor BMW. There are two other makers here who have designed their logos to be oh so very close to that of BMW.

bility consumer item that they are would not be something that was easily copied. Amazingly, you would be wrong. There are a number of cases of Chinese copy cars that have been publicized and some auto makers have tried suing or at least making a media outcry. The copy that sticks in my mind at the moment is the Honda CRV. Although they have just released a new model that does look different, for at least 3 or 4 years, you would often see two versions of the Honda on the road. One was a Honda of course, and one looked almost exactly like it (Chinese copy), just slightly longer with poor fit and finish.

I always chuckle inwardly at the brazenness of this tactic. Now, the company that makes this CRV like machine does charge much less than Honda for their CRV. Consequently, there are a lot of them around and it could be called a success. Sometimes it is not a direct copy of a product that you see, rather a more subtle visual cue. There is a particular Chinese made car that I like the looks of. I think the reason I like it is because it has the iconic twin kidney grills of BMW on the front end. The first time I saw this car, I had to do a double take because I was not aware of a new BMW model coming out. Poor BMW. There are two other makers here who have designed their logos to be oh so very close to that of BMW.

h they have just released a new model that does look different, for at least 3 or 4 years, you would often see two versions of the Honda on the road. One was a Honda of course, and one looked almost exactly like it (Chinese copy), just slightly longer with poor fit and finish.

I always chuckle inwardly at the brazenness of this tactic. Now, the company that makes this CRV like machine does charge much less than Honda for their CRV. Consequently, there are a lot of them around and it could be called a success. Sometimes it is not a direct copy of a product that you see, rather a more subtle visual cue. There is a particular Chinese made car that I like the looks of. I think the reason I like it is because it has the iconic twin kidney grills of BMW on the front end. The first time I saw this car, I had to do a double take because I was not aware of a new BMW model coming out. Poor BMW. There are two other makers here who have designed their logos to be oh so very close to that of BMW.

actic. Now, the company that makes this CRV like machine does charge much less than Honda for their CRV. Consequently, there are a lot of them around and it could be called a success. Sometimes it is not a direct copy of a product that you see, rather a more subtle visual cue. There is a particular Chinese made car that I like the looks of. I think the reason I like it is because it has the iconic twin kidney grills of BMW on the front end. The first time I saw this car, I had to do a double take because I was not aware of a new BMW model coming out. Poor BMW. There are two other makers here who have designed their logos to be oh so very close to that of BMW.ooks of. I think the reason I like it is because it has the iconic twin kidney grills of BMW on the front end. The first time I saw this car, I had to do a double take because I was not aware of a new BMW model coming out. Poor BMW. There are two other makers here who have designed their logos to be oh so very close to that of BMW. These companies are not making high end luxury cars, rather plebian transport for the masses that would never ever be confused with a Bimmer. Still, that circular white and blue logo does catch the eye.

When you pick up a copy of virtually any business journal today or turn on the TV, it will gush over the enormous sums of foreign investment coming into China. Private equity is a newer source of funds and there is a move towards investing in smaller independent Chinese firms. Some equity firms follow a strategy of investing that looks for particular value in the target company.

Copying is a real business strategy. When a new consumer item comes out in the US, if it is successful, there are soon other choices quickly available. When a new type of car, (think of the new crossovers) comes out, it is usually followed by others. The problem with the copying approach is that it cannot be the only approach. There has to be something else.

If copying a product is the main value a firm can offer though, could it, should it ever be invested in? There is a large part of the economy in China that is driven by products that have been copied. Molecule by molecule, measurement by measurement, brand identity by brand identity. My own company faces this challenge to an extreme in the chemical industry. (We estimate o