2016 CopyCat Awards

​​"Not all snowflakes are the same, but yours is too close to another."

​    Not all copycats look exactly like the model they are copying.  Some utilize key aspects, while others copy the entire design.  Each year AutoLooks outlines which products are utilizing someone else's design and gives them our CopyCat award.  Below is our list for 2013 and an outline of what each company has borrowed.

    2016 was slightly better than 2015, as this year we did see only seven (7) CopyCat Awards handed out.  With only two (2) direct copies of products hitting our roads this year, it seems the world is getting better at automotive design.  We did have a few designs which borrowed key aspects, but really only two (2) this year, really made us think, why?
    
     For 2016 we are glad to see a reduction in the number for copycats on the road and we hope this will be a sign of better things to come.

Everett J.
#autolooks

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2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia (copy of a 2014 BMW M5)

   When you want to really go after the competition, then you might as well have the same appeal as them.  This is the analogy that Alfa Romeo has used for their new Giulia sedan.  Borrowing the profile and appearance of the BMW M5, this new sedan from FCA has what it takes to take on BMW, since it appeals to the same buyers.  Although the Giulia 

​may not look like the M5, it still carries the same outline profile and overall appeal that BMW carries on all of their products.  Guess you can say, that this new Alfa is just a BMW made in Italy.

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2016 BAIC BJ80C (copy of a 2010 Mercedes-Benz G-Class)

     Known for their Jeep competitor, BAIC has decided for 2016 to go after the luxury part of the SUV market.  With the release of their BJ80C premium SUV, BAIC has cemented themselves as a true SUV-Truck company.  Of course, that comes at a cost, as their new product is a copy of a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.  Knowing the history of the G-Class, we can see why 

BAIC wanted to borrow their design.  But they could have done it similar to that of their Wrangler counterpart (the BJ40) and given it a whole new front end.  Since this was not done, they now have earned themselves a spot at the CopyCat table.

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2016 Chevrolet Cruze (copy of a 2012 Honda Civic)

    Wanting to play against the compact kings, Chevrolet has redesigned the Cruze for 2016.  Ensuring that this model will be more a hit than the last model, Chevrolet has opted to utilize the profile of the 2012 Honda Civic to better their chances of success.   This can be seen when you put the two (2) models side view next to each other.  Not having any 

​makings, you can really see how Chevrolet used the Civic's profile.  Guess after a long stint of making their own model, they decided to even the playing field and confuse consumers into their showrooms.

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2016 Chevrolet Volt (Copy of a 2012 Honda Civic)

     With a redesign of the Cruze, Chevrolet thought it would be fitting to update the Volt as well.  For the 2nd generation Volt, Chevrolet has decided to utilize the layout from the Cruze.  With this adds a new award to the Volt, as the Cruze is already known for being a copy of the Civic, which puts the Volt right in with it.  But I guess its still a better design than the 1st gen.

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2015 Yema T70 (copycat of a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg)

   Similar to what Zotye has done, Yema is adding itself to the list of companies infatuated by the Volkswagen Touareg.  Borrowing nearly every aspect of the 2012's rear end, along with some profile lines from the 2008 model, the T70 is nothing more than a copy of the Touareg.  We still don't see why everyone is infatuated by this model, but to each their own.

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2016 YoGoMo 3008 (copy of a 2012 Kia Picanto)

   There must be something about 2012 that turns on this years copies.  YoGoMo may not be a household name, but they are known of by Kia.  As their new sub-compact model is an exact copy of the 2012 Picanto.  Every detail of the Picanto has been used on for the 3008, making this our only direct copy for 2016.

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2016 Zotye T600 (copycAt of a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg)

   For the 2nd time in a row, Zotye has one a CopyCat Award for their T600 model.  Their previous award was for it being a copy of the 1st generation VW Touareg.  Now for 2016, they have updated the T600 and again it is copying the Touareg.  This time the have utilized design aspects from the 2012 model.

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