2023 CopyCat Awards

2023 COPYCAT AWARD WINNERS

​​​"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 2022 and an outline of what each company has borrowed.

2023 ACM City One
The original toaster is back!

       Back in the late 90's, Honda had the idea of creating a product which maximized interior space while being very versatile.  Where Pontiac failed with the Aztec, Honda succeeded with the Element.  
         Now its ACM's turn to take a shot at the original inception of the element.  Crossovers and Cross-Treks may be bigger

today, but the outline of the original toaster is on the decline.  ACM apparently didn't get that memo, as they wanted to bring back the off-balance style of the original element, while added a few extra odd touches.
       Today, the City One may be on a plan of attack for the EV world, but that attack was fought and lost back at the beginning of this century.  Let's hope ACM has better luck than Honda did.

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2023 Aito M5
The modern cell phone is here, and not in POG form.

       With some help from there friends, Huawei has finally beat Apple at something.  Although their final product may not be what we all desire, they do have some good hardware to go along with its Seres body shell.  Too bad for them as this shell is already a copy of something else much greater.  Guess when you want to win the war, you might

as well go all in on something which started one.  
      Utilizing a Porsche Cayenne profile, the Aito M5 may play the part of being a technological marvel, but it doesn't look the part.  Let's hope its exterior update is as good as its next hardware update.

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2023 Aurus Komendant
This komrade has big aspirations

       Aurus is not new to the world or even this list.  Created by a plan to bring luxury supremacy to Russia, Aurus has come a long way from its initial plan.  Too bad for its follow through, as both of its main products borrow the design language of Rolls Royce.
       With its Cullinan profile, the Komendant is sure to win some hearts in 

luxury world.  Even if those hearts chose it over the competition due to price of a lack of available products due to a trade embargo.

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2022 Feifan Marvel R
An electric sibling to MG could have done better.

      SAIC may not be well known around the globe, but there products are.  MG is well known and it seems that SAIC wants to make even more profit off of this brand.  But, without expanding its initial offerings, SAIC has decided to create an electric version of MG and its luxury cousin, Rover.

       Rover may have changed its name to Roewe due too issues with BMW, but that doesn't mean its spirit isn't still alive.  Feifan is the revival of both brands as a new EV product.  But, this product has a dark side, as unlike MG and Rover, it borrows design aspects from the competition.
      Utilizing proportions and design elements from Lincoln, Feifan has been able to bring up the image of its products.  Falling into the premium segment, Feifan has set the stage for a new luxury arm of SAIC.  But at what cost?

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2023 GAC Trumpchi GS3 Power
Top tier Chinese product, gives way to peer pressure.

       GAC is not one to fall through the cracks into the CopyCat ring, but for 2023 it made a quick choice to do so.  Utilizing design elements from a company who is notorious for copying others, just seems odd for the brand.  GAC usually stands out from the crowd in China, as they love to on top of the design game.  But, I guess every once in while, everyone gives into peer pressure.

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2023 Hengchi 5
Big dreams gave way to stock holder demands.

       The Evergrande Group has the pockets to make just about anything happen.  And after a few years of showcasing their automotive dreams, they have finally released on there plans.  Too bad the final follow through with those plans, led to one of the most plagiarized designs to ever come from China. 

       NIO has lead the Chinese market in world domination of their products.  Taking over Europe and soon headed to America, this company is one of the hottest things to come from China, since the inception of the dollar store.  I guess that's why the Evergrande Group turned their eyes to them for inspiration with their own growth plan.
       Could this mean that NIO has some major competition, or is Hengchi just a wannabe who won't make it?  Only time will tell.

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2023 Honda Accord
The Queen of mid-size is looking for some help taking down the King.

      Honda may be one of the few remaining members of the sedan club in America, but that doesn't mean they are winning this battle.  Seems that they want some help now taking down their long time rival Toyota, that they have turned to the luxury world for help. 
       Utilizing the design profile from Volvo, this new Accord is nothing new.  It may 

appear to look new, but overall its success will come from luxury owners wanting to downgrade, or a few people looking for some better quality. 
​       Volvo hits the safety mark, but it has never hit top for design profiles.  Guess no one told Honda this, or they would have utilized someone else's profile.

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2022 Hyundai N-Vision 74
An ode to John Z leaving GM, it seems.

      When you want to make a statement, why not go with one of the most recognizable designs of all time.  Hyundai has done this for their N-Vision concept as they have tried there hands at re-creating the DMC-12.  Too bad there are already two (2) companies vying to bring back this fabled name.

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2023 Leap Motors C11
Average appeals to premium side of the market.

      Leap Motors may be a new kid on the block, but that doesn't mean they are new to the game which is played in China.  Seems they wanted to use the standard Chinese way of entry to enter the automotive marketplace.  Utilizing design aspects from Lincoln, Leap Motors is trying to weasel there way into this market with something borrowed.  Too bad its not blue as well.

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2024 Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX
A vision of theft is more like it

      The silver arrow company may know how to set the world stage for greatness.  But for 2022, they didn't think we were paying attention.  Their new concept, the EQXX, may seem like its a step into the future, but this future has already been seen by the long awaited  Lightyear One.
        Lightyear has been working on their electric / solar powered sedan for a few 

years now, and just when they are set to release their entry into this world, Mercedes-Benz comes out and takes all their glory.  Too bad for the Benz, that we know about the original sleek sedan.
       For this we would like to give Mercedes a major handshake to the CopyCat awards, as their EQXX is a direct ripoff of the Lightyear One.  Don't try to fool the design world, as we are always watching.

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2023 Min'an ET1
Double header for this micro EV.

      Min'an may be a new name to some, but to the rest of us, they are just another cheap ripoff micro car manufacture.  Winning both the worst dressed and a CopyCat award makes this company a double header winner.  
       Borrowing their design language from Mini, this wannabe may be in for some issues when it comes to winning any fans over.

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2023 Ora Punk Cat
This punk rocker has a long history of rocking, but not with this company

      Punk was a form a music which came out in the late 70's.  Back then the original version of this cat was out wandering the streets.  Today this cat has been laid to rest, but that hasn't stopped this company from cloning the original cool cat.
      Ora has made a name for themselves in the EV world and now they are pushing the envelope of what it is to be the cool 

cat on the block.  Too bad for them that we are here, as this cool cat is nothing more than just a four-door clone of the original cool cat.
       The Beetle was a car worthy of history, but can its clone really match the world of cool that this Punk Bug brought to the world.  Ora thinks so, as they want you to bring along your friends to the punk show.  Guess time will tell if this clone is really worthy of their layout or if they should be left to rot in the CopyCat wasteland.

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2023 SSC SC-01
Another remake from the land of the red dragon

      The colour this company chose may say Red Dragon, but the profile in which this dragon has utilized, says Lancia.  Although the original Stratos has long been dead, a remake by coachbuild company Manifattura Aubomobili Torino (MAT) has been approved for sale and given the green light by FCA.  But the SSC counterpart, has not.

      Although this counterpart is electric, it has not been approved by Lancia.  Good thing that it won't be sold outside of China, as this wannabe may have issues fighting off MAT for a place in the sports car world.

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2023 Viritech Apricale
You can appreciate the looks, but not the appeal

        Viritech is new to the automotive ring and their new product is set to make a statement.  This statement should be that we want to take on the likes of Koenigsegg, but unfortunately its appeal doesn't say that.  The Apricale gives off that vibe that it hails from same garage as the Agera, but in all reality it does not.  Its looks may not scream I'm a a knockoff of 

the original supercar from Sweden.  I guess when you want to get noticed, its best to get noticed as the best in the business, not the up and coming.

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2022 ZX Auto Weishi 1949
When you want to be big and bad, but don't have the background in it

      The TRX took all too long to hit the market.  Where it should have been out over a decade ago, we finally have received out true Raptor fighter.  Unfortunately when this happens, the clones start coming out from the labs.  ZX Auto is one who is not unknown to our CopyCat list and it didn't surprise us when 

their new truck, took on the appearance of the Raptors nemesis.  
      Having borrowed designs from Nissan before, now it was time to move over to RAM brand.  Taking the front end from the previous generation 1500 and adding on the profile of the TRX, ZX Auto has made a new for China off road sports truck.  Too bad this idea has already taken shape on the other side of the pond.  Guess ZX will need to stay off of American soil, if they want to fight the Raptor as well.