2017 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 2017 and an outline of what each company has borrowed.

     2017 was a great year on record for our CopyCat Awards. That is because we only handed out four (4) in total.  Only one (1) product on this years CopyCat list is borrowing a profile.  This means the other three (3) are almost exact copies.   2017 would have been a banner year, if all of the awards were handed out for part copies.  But with full on copycats in our midst, 2017 was just another year in automotive design.

Everett J.
​#autolooks

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2017 Changan CS95 (copy of a 2016 Ford Explorer)

   Changan is a company who not only builds their own products, but manufactures products for other companies.  One of those companies is the Ford Motor Company and its Ford Explorer product.  This would be a good indicator as to why Changan's new full size CUV model looks an awful like Fords, but that still doesn't stop AutoLooks

from issuing a CopyCat Award. 
    If Changan was owned by Ford, then this model would be acceptable.  But since they are not, this model would be classified as a CopyCat.  Since Changan decided against any major overhaul of the Explorer (minus the front grille), they have received this award.  Guess we will have to wait until next time to see if they learn their lesson. 

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2017 Lifan Xuanlang (copy of a 2015 Ford S-Max)

   Unlike Changan, Lifan is not licensed to build products for Ford and due to that its new Xuanlang crossover is a direct copy of the S-Max.  Lifan wants to run with the big players in China, but unlike the competition, they have done it on their own.  For 2017 they have decided to not go it alone and to start using one of Fords designs.

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2017 Rayttle 28 (copy of a 2012 Renault Twizy)

    Rayttle is not what you would call known of, but for 2017 they put themselves out there with their new 28 model.  Being a complete copy of a 2012 Renault Twizy, Rayttle soon gained fame as another Chinese knockoff company.  This fame may hurt them outside of China, but in their home country, they are here to make a statement.

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2017 ZX Auto Terralord (Copy of a 2017 Nissan Titan)

  ZX Auto is the only company on this years list who is not a direct copy of the original.  Their new Terralord truck, only borrows the profile from a Nissan Titan.  Sure, it may not be an exact copy, like some, but they do have the appearance of the competition, which would make it hard to distinguish them in a parking lot.

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