Comments on: The Bubble vs Smart ForTwo

By: Scott C

Scott C — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:03:02 +0000

Whether the profile is an exact copy or not its evident they copied the smart just by the colour coding. It makes it obvious thats what they were trying to do. My problem with these is the safety ratings. Most of these chinese cars shouldnt be allowed on an australian road and i hope they arent allowed.

When you think about it carefully, who will buy chinese 12k cars etc? Young kids with little money to spend.. Do we want that demographic driving unsafe vehicles? I hope that a minimum ancap rating is incorporated into compliancing a vehicle for sale here. The new age barina shouldnt be on aussie roads! 2star safety?? It should be illegal…. Money should only govern so much..

By: JT

JT — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:47:46 +0000

I heard some big Australian car dealers had already signed up to distribute and sell a Chinese-made light commercial vehicle here, probably late next year. It would be interesting to see if there is any lawsuit against them at that time. I reckon a lawsuit might be a good way to kill off a potential competitor?

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 04:39:34 +0000

The cars look similar, yes. Are they close enough to warrant anger? Perhaps.

There are a few small cars out there, like the Fiat 500, Ford Ka and Nissan Micra that all look different, but aim for the same basic target.

Having said that, the Smart is unique in its size and packaging and if you want to make a car that is just as small and still usable, how much different could you possibly make it?

The courts will have to decide on rational arguments not purely on emotions or subjective assessments. However, part of the ruling will no doubt include public perception which makes me think the Chinese Bubble is about to be burst.

By: alec

alec — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:35:25 +0000

And the Chinese Cars a 4 Seater??
Seriously.. for what.. KNOMES!!??

By: alec

alec — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:17:03 +0000

I can’t believe people on here actually think these two cars don’t look the same!!

There are so many similarities: Doors, Side Window, Door Handles, B & C Pillars, Two Tone paint, Side Sills, Roof Profile, Wheel arches!! And this is only what we can see from the surface!!
The main difference between the Smart and the Chinese rubbish is the smart has more of a Cab-Forward design and is probably a lot safer.

And do you think teh Chinese car will pass the Moose Test??
Doubt it!!

By: Bavarian Missile

Bavarian Missile — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 08:00:39 +0000

I think Americas economy is affecting ours more at the moment and will continue as always! They sneeze and we get a cold!

Chinas economy will be in denial just like Americas has been for the last 6 years!

Anyway in regard to the lawsuit yep I agree ……..!May just be a win win for us!

By: Steven

Steven — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 07:40:03 +0000

To ‘Missile’, you don’t need to count on Chinese economy. You are just an individual. But unfortunately, the Australian economy is relying heavily on Chinese economy at the moment. Just read the newspaper. I hope your prediction, ‘burst of China’, will not affect Australia in the future.

Regardless which side wins the lawsuit, I think it is not a bad thing for both sides. If Daimler wins, then the result of the lawsuit will have a profound effect on Chinese car manufacturers. The Chinese will learn a lesson, as a result, they will start taking IP seriously, and start investing, creating and improving their products. If the Chinese car manufacturer wins, then it shows that Chinese manufactures start thinking globally. Consumers are the ultimate beneficiaries of a legal competition.

By: Bavarian Missile

Bavarian Missile — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 07:07:09 +0000

Where I get my facts from are the people that live there not some economist …..Governments have a great way of playing up their economys too other Countries especially China’s economy was bought up by Stephen not me!

Andrew said ” For the record, from what I know of Australian intellectual property law, in Australia if the equivalent litigation proceeded then it would very likely fail.” Wrong not by my accounts in defending our products in Australia against copies.The passing off law is determined by the general public perception in the copy looking like the original! We won our case so I imagine if in Australia Daimler would too! Design registration is something totally different! Im not saying that the copy won’t end up being sold in Europe but it will be under Daimlers watchful eye determining what changes would be needed to be made before it could be sold! Normally it is the most money spent on lawyers that also determines a win! We all know that the Chinese wouldn’t want to spend money defending something they may lose anyway! Lets just see how the case goes ha!!

I would think Daimler wouldn’t be receiving money from the law suit Andrew it will cost them too defend …….BIG BUCKS!!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 06:08:31 +0000

Also, I think it’s really a cheap last ditch effort by Daimler to try and make some money from what can only be described as a total disaster (smart made losses of 5 billion between 2003-2006)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 06:04:44 +0000

“I wouldn’t count on Chinas economy Stephen …..there are spending more than they as a Country are earning”

China has a current account surplus of like 7% so I don’t know where you’re getting your facts from.

Why is this discussion about China anyway? Daimler are suing a company for importing Shuanghuan automobiles. Learn to distinguish between a country/government and a company.

For the record, from what I know of Australian intellectual property law, in Australia if the equivalent litigation proceeded then it would very likely fail.