The WILD World Of Chinese Copycat Design!

World renowned supercar designer, Frank Stephenson, analyses the design evolution of the Chinese car market.
----------------------------------------------------------
Hi all,
Something a bit different this week. I'm analysing the bizarre evolution of Chinese car design that has seen them go from lawsuit worthy copycat designs to genuinely innovate creations in just under thirty years.
Enjoy!
Frank Stephenson
Disclaimer: This is not in any way affiliated with or sponsored by any Chinese company or brand.
#FrankStephenson #ChineseCarDesign #CarDesign

[@richardike2342]

Thanks for another great analysis Frank. An Asian Pilot once told me that their principle of copying other Car designs was first done by the Japanese in the 60's, followed later by the Koreans, and now the Chinese. It is called imitation-to-innovation.

[@wyskass861]

While we may dislike it, it's certainly and effective and very understandable.

[@kylesoler4139]

To be fair car companies take inspiration from others all the time.

[@user-jk7yz3xs8z]

@@kylesoler4139 do you have a source?

[@riaz8783]

@@user-jk7yz3xs8z This video. Car designers move between companies and take ideas with them. Or you could argue that the Ford Mondeo and Fiestas have grilles very reminiscent of Aston Martins.

[@GetOffMyLog]

@@riaz8783 Ford straight up stole that design lol

[@thewanderingrey8830]

Mecha Dragon is what my dream car would look like when I was a kid in the late 80s. It looks cool and edgy, ngl

[@aldyhabibie9717]

I would want that. I think it would look fantastic in Red.

[@dxq3647]

Cyberpunk 2077 vibes

[@Fouldeep123]

@@dxq3647 naa Gundam vibes, a laser cannon comes out the hood 😜

[@isakjohansson7134]

@@Fouldeep123 They one at motorshow painted like EVA Unit 1 from Neon Genesis Evangelion at least

[@rammpage4468]

Everybody copy when they just start their development, the only difference is China start copying during this explosive information age, and everyone can easily know about it; whereas UK, Germany, USA, Japan, when they began their copying time, people didn't know about it due to limited media outlet.

[@frq325]

That is what I think, so true, it is kinda unfortunate for Chinese car manufacturers.

[@sparklell5867]

@@frq325 it's unfortunate for the whole chinese product

[@Bestlivexg]

Not true what you said.. No one never seen Japanse cars look like BMW.. Benz or American cars look like Japanse cars

[@frq325]

@@Bestlivexg does Chinese car look like others in 2022?

[@chenzhao3905]

@@Bestlivexg but if you do some research on japan car industry history, you can found tons of copycat designs....hell we even put them in museums....

[@Raven-uu7lb]

Chery, Haval and JMC are Chinese car brands that are quite successful in my country (Malaysia) mainly because of the design. Geely however, they formed a partnership with PROTON in 2017 which gave Geely access to the Malaysian market and PROTON's expertise in producing right-hand drive vehicles. And PROTON got their hands on Geely's cars as an exchange and rebadge it as their own brand and sell it here in Malaysia. It does sell quite well here too.

[@Raven-uu7lb]

@Obby Do I look like I'm bragging about Geely buying Proton? Did I said "I'm proud that Geely bought Proton"? If so, okay Karen. I said partnership, not bought. Read that again.

[@dongxuzhou4661]

Geely cars are fine. It has the design of VW cars and its EV cars are of decent quality. There is a good price and quality balance there. I think those Geely cars are made in Malaysia and Geely definitely should cooperate with local corporations. We would still call those proton cars as Malaysian cars tho; it's more like Geely purchased some shares. 😆

[@algung2522]

Ya, it was not nice to brag about the marriage or take over of Proton Saga 笨蛋傻瓜 by China GEELY. Proton gone bankrupt, and ended up sleeping with this guy Geely, bearing mixed blooded babies! But ...what's wrong with mixed blooded babies, like S50 and S70

[@theallseeingeye9388]

@@dongxuzhou4661 The two models produced by Proton for the domestic market has given the brand a much needed push and they have been well received by Malaysians. The biggest negative at the moment is Protons service centres inability to quickly and efficiently address issues faced by these two models. Their people are not familiar with their own product, far from being a competently trained team. Especially when the waiting period is quite long when compared to other manufacturers products and when the customers finally take ownership new the process of addressing defects and other issues is worst than what Proton used to be in the past before Geely. Which was generally bad to begin with.

[@jimbojackson371]

I also see an increasing amount og Havals in Bangkok and i have to admit i like their design a lot. Beautiful and unique looking.

[@Few_politicians_run_your_life]

I am an designer and I always heard a lot of upper level engineer and management always say that Chinese will never be able to come up with they own design. I think those guys rack of world experience especially when it come to understand Chinese. Chinese like to learn and they push themselves to learn fast. Chinese open factory them save money then buy those companies the producing for. Western greed that only think about profit in short term but not long term. Today Chinese can do almost anything you can imagine. Supercar or luxury item is just a matter of time. When I was in design school a lot of Chinese or Asian student don't know how to draw but after the fifth term they become so good many work for well know Supercar company or big brand and many went back to China. But those big brand never say that the Asian or Chinese design them.

[@manin4568]

Still lags in safety and poor quality of service and parts

[@ranojap5010]

they even got Elon Musk copy (looks alike)...LOL

[@DavyBrando]

Quite a lot of comments in broken English lauding China. Evidently a cabal of Chinese shills have been hard at work here.

[@grantbuchanan7295]

@@manin4568 my gwm is has a 5 star ancap rating. And a 5 year warranty.

[@hotwheeler0461]

It's just unfortunate that China's copycat designs happened at an age where there was the Internet, and the world knew about it, but alot of great things began by copying and improving. Japan's auto industry also had similar copycats but weren't so widespread since there was no Internet back then. Compare these: -1973 Toyota Celica 2000GT Liftback vs 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback -1951 Toyota Jeep BJ vs 1941 Willy's MA -1963 Nissan Prince Skyline 1500 vs 1961 Fiat 2300 -1964 Mitsubishi Debonair vs 1961 Lincoln Continental

[@durim187]

how is Celica like mustang except they are both fastbacks? Do you think Ford invented that shape? Ford wasnt first with that shape even in America let alone in the world. And Among Nissan Prince and Fiat 2300, the original was Mercedes SL300. Debonair doesnt even look like the Lincoln at all, but suspiciously, both are similiar to older W111 albeit with headlights arranged horizontally.

[@TitanSKiZlz]

@@durim187 did you look at pictures of both cars, the back end is completely ripped off..

[@durim187]

@@TitanSKiZlz and mustang stole its side view from volvo p1800, world goes round and round

[@mrsoisauce9017]

@@durim187 that’s the point he was trying to make

[@durim187]

@@mrsoisauce9017 well, if you think cars will come with square wheels just for sake of inovation i have some news for you

[@jackmcslay]

11:15 The MiniEV is where electric cars should be going, as that's the segment where electric cars truly shine - small, lightweight urban commute vehicles, not general purpose sedans and SUVs you can take a family of 4 on a weekend trip. With a small size and low price and much lower power requirements it becomes attractive as an additional you use as your daily commute while you leave your regular 4-seater at home when for when you need extra capacity, or just rent a larger vehicle according to your needs on occasion. 12:47 I would totally buy that if I could! Who doesn't want a ride that looks like friggin Mecha Godzilla?!?

[@lilruss15]

yea I oddly found the "mecha dragon" kinda cool???

[@jrcan74]

I really agree your opinion, as living in city we really need a compact urban electric car, this can avoid all kind of worse incident, did anyone thinking about if we really need an high speed huge volume car running around in city? For that [Mecha Dragon], after we saw too much curve designs, a straight mechanism line design was so surprising & bright.

[@aimxdy8680]

I mean the smart fortwo EV version has a very tight turning radius and turns so light due to its light weight and it’s very efficient

[@jackau08]

the wuming mini is actually perfect electric car for cities in the west, buy it seriously need safety features to travel in likes of Australian roads where nut job SUV and pick up drivers would squeeze the mini for immediate car yard disposal.

[@jackmcslay]

@@jackau08 The point of these is to commute on city streets, not hitting the road to other towns. They do not have the range and speed required to go other cities, if they did they'd be adding a much bigger battery and motor and would end up a medium hatchback.

[@serious1587]

I think it's elitist that western auto media doesn't give Chinese car designs a second look and I respect that Frank is open minded enough to do that

[@diogovieira3362]

probably because theres too much western design copying in all of them, like not just ideas, but almost total design cue ripoffs. Even brands like Kya and Hyundai are somewhat at fault for this

[@kalmmonke5037]

their still garbage or copying lol. byd dolphin are are the only exception. even japan has done far more

[@mvnorsel6354]

The public is very biased in Australia yet we buy so many Chinese vehicles. Go figure

[@InXLsisDeo]

It's pretty ridiculous that western companies complain about copying when the western cars are now pretty much all ugly looking SUVs that are literally undistinguishable from each other.

[@Phlegm_Thrower]

Very insightful video. However, cars these days, no matter where they were designed and made, bear some similarities to each other all the time. For example, the recently leaked electric Ford Mustang concept has a grille that looks very similar in shape to the current Suzuki Swift Sport.

[@algung2522]

THANKS for a truthful review on the current state of CHINESE cars. Enjoyable, and easy to watch. A breathe of fresh air from UK; unlike bbc with its lies and ill-will when reporting on things CHINA.

[@Alexpktang]

Right on !, BBC, CNN, AP etc. when it come to news in China, always pick the negative to report !!

[@MaEh2007]

Another amazing episode and a great topic, Frank! I´d say there´s even another era happening right now: Chinese (car) companies slowly taking over old European car makers like Volvo (owned by Geely) or Mercedes Benz (partly owned by Chinese investor Li Shufu). My guess is that in the medium to long term, Chinese manufacturers want to be in the global game. To underline this, I find it very interesting that many European designers now work for/on Chinese cars or for Asian brands in general. You briefly mentioned Giles Taylor. He designed the Jaguar XK X150 and the XJ X351 (very happy to own one) under Ian Callum, then became Director of Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and is now Global VP of Design for Chinese FAW Group. What´s your view on this: does this show that Chinese brands are investing heavily and wisely to compete in the global market, or are we looking at some sort of an elephant graveyard for top notch designers? ;-) Thanks again for doing this channel!! I love it! Cheers, Martin PS: We own one of "your" MINIs, too. #styleschangestyledoesnt

[@dct124]

That Punk Cat is a really good design. Definitely looks like a Buggy, and is better looking than the last few Buggy models we've gotten.

[@budja1501]

This is a cool topic to make an episode on! I’ve been getting more and more interested in different regions of the world’s design styles and what defines them. Sensuality in Italian design, precision in German design, and restraint in british design. It’s interesting seeing where the design world is going. I would argue that british designs are beginning to incorporate the beautiful classical sensuality you’d typically find in italian cars. I.E. the Lotus Emira & Evija as well as Aston Martin. makes me wonder what will define each region's design languages in the future

[@M0torsagmannen]

i think French design is always interesting, i heard a saying once "the French copy nobody, and nobody copies the French" and i think it fits well for car design.

[@asmc1492]

@@M0torsagmannen French cars are weird. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes bad.

[@zeyuzheng1155]

@@M0torsagmannen lol thats a good way to put. I also found it in their bike design, they are certainly uniqie in their own ways.

[@kalmmonke5037]

precision is als japanese culture thing, b/c higher intellegence. restraint is simplicity, which is desired by highly stressed people who want calm. sensuality is desires when one is not so tired. emira is uglier than it needed to be, frank dida video fixing it at a common sense standpoint.

[@budja1501]

@@kalmmonke5037 what does b/c higher intelligence have to do with anything? Anyways, yes- Japanese design can be characterized with precision as seen in the Nissan R35. however I feel the need to mention a design like the Lexus LC / LC 500 because it's a remarkably elegant and beautiful car that almost looks like it has a few design touches from mercedes' design department. the LC 500 has some elements I would expect to find on a british car and some elements I would expect to find on a german car also, even without Frank's masterful design input the lotus emira is one of the furthest new cars from ugly in a very, very long time

[@jeffluk1824]

Appreciate the comprehensive analysis of the development of the Chinese automobile design in the recent decades. Always entertaining and educational, thank you for your videos.

[@CristianValenzuela2155]

Many people forget the Japanese started in car industry mimicking American cars as well.

[@TVCHLORD]

Toyota started the Lexus brand with a Mercedes clone

[@jamesengland7461]

not so closely though

[@sophisticatedthumb5364]

@@TVCHLORD Same with genesis

[@yeowtom1788]

Chinese here, and imo very indepth but still remain objective video from the master Frank. Good content like usual ! For youtube, I will share a bit of very interesting facts about Chinese automobile world. 1. Until THIS very year, if any foreign car brand want to produce cars in mainland China, by the Chinese law, they have to find a Chinese local company and form a 50-50 sharehold comany with them to do that. So as a result for this very special regulation, there are TWO VW brands, TWO Toyota brands and TWO Honda brands you can find in the mainland market. (I mean they literlarly are spearted from factory lines, with mostly different poduction car models and different dealers) Plus the quality of the car/cars' aftersales' service will also be affected not only by the brand's capability, but also the Chinese company they are colab with. So as a result, in China you will find that most mid-age people recon a Ford is not mechanically reliable or a Chinese local built BMW is not high-qualtiy, and a Rover(yes the UK one) can be fixed with VW or GM parts(because one Chinese car company is producing Rover, Buick and VW at the same time). 2. China has one of the most strict emission standards currently at the world. We used to follow Eurpeaons' emission standard until 2019. Since the eco problem is happening,(also perhaps China has almost zero Internal combustion engine techology.) Chinese goverment tried many things to encourage people move to the EV area, that includs many many regulations like giving funds to elecrtic car developments(Chinese brands only ofc.), free & little-to-none-waiting-time license plates for EVs(while a normal plate's expense can easily cost equal that a daily family car plus months of waiting) and double the emission standards compare to the Euro 5. Because there is a lockdown happing in my town, I got lots of free times in the next few days. Ask me anything you want about cars in China and I will try my best to answer them. Stay safe & healthy everyone!

[@timzhu9845]

Some correction: 1. So far, the 50-50 sharehold policy have been changed. You can see BMW raise to 75% lately. And another good example is Tesla Shanghai plant, it is truly 100% owned by Tesla. No China domestic shareholder at all. 2. For the government fund of EV cars, which I see it is becoming a more widely practice across the whole world to encourage people to by EV/PHEV cars. It’s NOT only applied to China brands, it applies to all the brands and series as long as they fulfill certain criteria as of the range and etc. For the plate, for the cities like Beijing/Shenzheng/Shanghai and some others, who need to bid for the car plate, and it is super expensive.( Take Shanghai as example, plate can up to 15,000 USD) However, if you bought the EV/PHEV one, and they fulfill the criteria, and you can get a unique plate which is sticking to the EV/PHEV car. It is helping you save the time and money! I am also kinda of lock down and worked from home now, and I’m more than happy to discuss anything relating to the car. Cheers, and Stay Safe!

[@Schmitzelhaus]

Nice, thanks a lot for the insights, as we usually don´t get to talk to locals due to China´s internet policies. I guess you´re using a VPN? I would love to know your opinion on the current designs of BMW. Are the looks of the XM or the i4 well received in China? Because they´re very controversial over here in Germany to say the least. Thanks again for sharing some insights and best of wishes! I hope you get savely out of lockdown (i guess Shanghai?) over there as soon as possible! 👍

[@user-nq2co2jy2o]

@@Schmitzelhaus We think XM is rubbish. i4 is a little better but still rubbish

[@yeowtom1788]

​@@Schmitzelhaus Guten Tag! To answer this question properly, I need to give some background information. First, from marketing studies, a huge part Chinese car consumers prefers 'unique' characters on cars, no matter it is on a good side or not. Secondly, BMWs is a very, very likable brand in China, there is a common saying for Chinese car enthusiasts that called ‘BBA’, which stands for merc-Benz, BMW and Audi. Those 3 German brands are pretty much the first impression when mordern Chinese learned words like 'Luxury cars' or 'Performance cars', and now still remains the best-selling luxury/performance cars between 25k-80k CN dollars(roughly 3k-10k euros), that price range also happened to be the main market for the Chinese luxury car market. So to conclude, yes there are a lot of controversy among car lovers on recent BMW's design languages, especially the XM. But sadly imo the market would not 'care' and those models will have a good sale number, BMW's brand is still a HUGE selling point, the car will look unique on the road, and big-engine luxury SUVs/performance EVs wouldn't meet too many competitors on the market. For me it is just sad that I always think the F82 M4 is the best looking car from the last deacde, and it just took 6-7 years from that to the look of current 4 series :/. Nevertheless, with the dawn of the oil-running car is coming, any effort on trying to scale up the sales number for those old brands is a reasonable attempt to me. Also thank you for the kind words :D

[@freeking4291]

Loads of💩

[@TheJociman]

Great video, super interesting listen! I personally found the great wall mecha dragon very desireable. It's reminescent of late 80's - 90's cars, almost Hot Wheelsy vibe, but then again I do have a tendency to like the _out-there_ models. Are you planning to do any more motorcycle related content? Cheers.

[@cleve21ful]

The ora cat was designed by the person who designed porsche, so that's why it looks similar. I kind of actually like it, because it's very suitable for kids and college students.

[@kingayvaz]

"Great Wall Mecha Dragon". They really don't want you to forget it's a Chinese car.

[@andrewduong2740]

It looks like a gaming PC

[@jogb9515]

Excellent review, thanks.

[@tomnewham1269]

I would love to hear Frank's take on the cars that were designed by Holden here in Australia. I know that Holden doesn't exist no more but some of the cars that Holden made especially in the later years I think would make a great topic. The VE/VF commodore, Monaro and the famous Efijy were in my opinion great looking designs.

[@peterkotara]

Quite right. Whilst Holden NO longler exist. It does not exist ANY more.

[@rynop99]

I see the late Commodore designs as derivatives of the the previous generation BMW 5 series. The VE strikes me as a lot like the E39 and the VF always looked a mix of the E60 and F10. If you were to split the grille into two kidney grilles (not unlike VT/VX), you get a strange looking BMW. By no means a bad thing, the VE/VF Commo is a great design and I’d say it’s German resemblance proves it.

[@derbigpr500]

Surprised a couple of them haven't been mentioned, which probably have the biggest potential of being world-wide successful, such as the NIO P8, Zeekr 001, Xpeng P5, Xpeng P7, Trumpchi GS8, Wey Coffe 01, Arcfox Alpha S, etc. Those are all great looking and also very good cars in general, surprised by their high quality from what I've seen in the Xpeng P7 and Zeekr 001, really feel premium all round with pretty unique interiors, which also seems to be a thing with these new Chinese cars. They're really pumping out some great interior designs which seem much more unique than exterior designs so far, and they seem to be focusing on very tasteful luxury without kitschy elements like we see in a lot of western cars nowadays, which is quite ironic. Some of the upcoming concept cars are really stunning too, and very unique, like the Nio ET (my personal favorite and probably the best looking sedan ever, albeit still a concept), Nio ET7, Zhiji L7, Hengchi 2, Geely Starburst Concept car. They're really pumping out unique and super nice cars, and the most impressive part is, they've got so many car companies coming up it's impossible to keep track of. The amount of designs they're pumping out reminds me of the crazy 50's and 60's in the US car industry when it felt like a new totally crazy and wild car appeared out of nowhere each month. The explosion of cars on their market was perfectly visible in the 2021 Shanghai car show, they've really set themselves up to become the world's most dominant car maker in the future if they can keep up.

[@ristekostadinov2820]

Where i live Seres is also popular car brand, they make EVs (currently they sell only 1 model where i live cost, between 30k and 35k euros)

[@siongtzer]

"If they can keep up" You can't really keep up by living in hell like Shanghai today.

[@mikez3421]

It's shame that people still can't buy Chinese EVs in North America. Hope they are coming soon.

[@mikez3421]

@@siongtzer only if you watch news solely negative about what is going on in Shanghai.

[@MaticTheProto]

Those aren’t copycats

[@Yonatan-jv8mv]

I've been waiting for you to talk about this topic

[@Tommytumee]

Would like to hear your opinion on Lotus Eletre

[@Isaac862]

This^

[@TVCHLORD]

It’s a Chinese car with a different body

[@sophisticatedthumb5364]

@@TVCHLORD He's talking about the design and so what its a Chinese car China has the most advanced EV batteries anyways

[@TVCHLORD]

@@sophisticatedthumb5364 lotus is selling a rebadged Chinese ev for $100,000

[@sophisticatedthumb5364]

@@TVCHLORD 60%of the cost of a EV goes to the batteries and China has the most advanced batteries I'd buy it over anything from Europe as long as the car was designed in the UK it is a UK car China has great build quality these days

[@TamTran-vw7zm]

Thank you, Frank. Your kind and pithy comments lead us through realms we were unaware of. I for one, am grateful.

[@JoshuaC923]

Not being old enough to watch the Japanese auto industry grow, it has been interesting of watching the Chinese and Korean auto industry growing👍🏻👍🏻 great video

[@saadsyed6690]

I want the NIO cars to come to North America and take on Tesla by storm. We need more competition in North America to bring the entry price of electric vehicles down.

[@Neojhun]

LOL NIO is expensive, it will not bring down the price at all.

[@tfortube]

@@Neojhun competition is always good. It will reduce Tesla’s monopoly in EV and make them better if not cheaper.

[@KB-bh9hp]

@@tfortube Tesla doesn't have a monopoly, Ford is rapidly gaining respect in the ev world, as are other legacy brands. Other startups are also joining the fight, like rivian and lucid.

[@kalmmonke5037]

electric car is scam, i wont care until they make it fully recycled or sustainable in some way, while lowering lifetime emissions(building and trashing) not just emissions during driving, all without causing charging energy grid problems if too many people in a area charge. heavier cars also cost more in road maintaience, costing emissions, sustainability issues, tax dollars. heavier car also makes it cost more weight and money for cars to be safe in crash. their should be legal weight limit, investment in e fuels or decent battery tech, and higher speed limits and less changes in speed limit, so people can maintain momentum to get most travel speed per emissions and dollars.

[@Neojhun]

@@kalmmonke5037 LOL You liar. A BMW G80 Inline 6 Is 1.7 Tonnes vs a Model 3 at 1.8 Tonnes. A Kia eNiro is 1.8 Tonnes vs Kia 4cyl is 1.6 Tonnes. This is WET because BEVs need Coolant & Transmission Fluid also. Sure it's marginally heavier than I.C.E. but it has negligible effects and does not need to be regulated.

[@newzenartmusicdesignbylamf6701]

Good one, very interesting!

[@ailrasyid1029]

Can't wait your review about Lotus Eletre Design

[@Kishire100]

Interesting video!

[@AlektronPrime]

Ora Copy Cat - sorry, couldn’t resist 😁 Great video, as always, thanks for the hard work you put in for us.

[@misfitdarule]

Thanks Frank For another amazing video. I am however quite surprised that you didn't talk about the NIO et 7 and et 5 and possibly the zhiji L7 and xiaopeng G9 which I.personally think are the better designs in China today. What's also interesting is that you actually show these cars in your video, you just never talked about them. I would love to hear your input on these premium cars. Thank you.

[@jamesengland7461]

I think the Ora Cat has a generic retro European small car flavor rather than a Porsche specifically. I really like it.

[@wildannandawicaksana5004]

I thought it similar with Fiat Abarth rather than Porsche

[@yourdeal2408]

The designer of the Ora is ex porsche designer ..........

[@cchrist58]

Well Said & well Made ............. Vlog !! ...... Bless You Dear Sir !!

[@acreativename7999]

Just noticed Senna's helmet and one of his cars on your shelf, absolutely legendary driver

[@Sena-yk6mm]

Great analysis! I think the barrier to entry on an auto industry is high. Glad to see BYD success with their own design.

[@gridmoshny6568]

Thank you Mr Stephenson!

[@petersyzonenko9632]

Awesome video! I’m interested in your opinion of the 2022 Honda Civic. Thanks

[@shezim6824]

As a Chinese and car enthusiast,I always try to insult those who drives a copycat car.I just don't think copying would help any car company going far and well.

[@agungsedayu6219]

breakdown the new lotus eletre design, i really like your content 👍🙏

[@harddriveYT]

China was basically making GTA vehicles for a while in the beginning lol

[@primeoil4758]

Rockstar should sue roflmao

[@Andrew-rc3vh]

That was really interesting. I think I'm with you on most of the critique on styling. There are quite a few misses, but don't all countries make design mistakes? They will be known for their winners and ten year on and these are going to be super-futuristic with the technology to match.

[@gritnltw]

Frank you are right. Nailed it. As a product designer working in Asia for non-Chinese companies, I have experienced copies of my designs as well. BUT up until 2010somthing, our Client companies would do nothing to sue the Chinese ones as there was no point. However, CCP changed its policy since 2010something, and in order to have Chinese companies to become genuinely competitive, the courts in China started ruling in favor of the foreign companies suing the Chinese ones over IP issues. 2 Client companies of mine did win.

[@_Wai_Wai_]

Well yea the Europeans and Japan, as well as USA shared technology with each other, while at the same time sanctioned technology transfer to China and perhaps even Russia. The CCP knew they were climbing a mountain while having foreigners throwing cold water on them. Everyone tried to contain China while at the same time taking advantage of China's low wage labor.

[@leebeenine]

Very interesting vid👍

[@ergwehgr]

Part 2? You are a big inspiration to upcoming Chinese designers

[@MM-np4md]

There's a lot he hasn't mentioned here, take a look at the changan Uni-T /uni-K and their sedans like the eado for example, the GWM tank 300 (and the others that have escaped my mind at the moment 🤔) haval big dog, haval h9, haval H6, haval jolion, gwm p-series/canon/poer, roewe RX 5 and RX8, MG/LDV T60, D90, and tons more, you can enter a rabbit hole of very decent to very good looking cars, mostly in the segments of non supercar sedans and suvs

[@domenikoperez1195]

I always love the soundtracks in Frank's videos

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thanks B!

[@BOABModels]

That X5-alike suv has Opel/Vauxhall Vectra headlights and grille I think.

[@zcai2672]

When it comes to electronic car designs, i would definitely preferred NIO et-7 over anything Tasla, BWW or Merc has made. If it ever comes to Australia, I would buy it in a heart beat over the others...

[@neuronmind]

love the show,SIR.

[@wilt778]

This channel is a gem.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thanks Will! 👍

[@tiantian3933]

thanks for the video. huge fan of your designs from china.

[@arturasstatkus8613]

Thank You,Sir.

[@SeahorseWorkshop]

Good job. Not a bias analysis.

[@wangruochuan]

chinese here: oh man, we absolutely hate them copy cat designs. if friends of us buy one of those infamous copy cat cars, they are going to be our jokes on a group meeting and every after meal talk.

[@ChristoAbrie]

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" - Oscar Wilde. then there's also the parroting technique, the best way to learn something new is to imitate another person doing the activity. Singers often model their singing voice after some of their favourite singers, and in combining multiple singing styles they eventually form their own unique singing style. Designers often pull inspiration from multiple sources (including older cars) and by combining them they form a new design language. Straight-up copying is an example of where they missed a crucial step, adding originality. It's like a amateur singer singing their favourite artist's song exactly the way the artist would sing it without adding their own distinctive flare to it.

[@Sefpe]

Imitating is fraud and theft via impostering

[@_Wai_Wai_]

@@Sefpe and yet, everyone does it, even European and Americans

[@Sefpe]

@@_Wai_Wai_ everyone rapes, murders and shits their pants, doesn't make the behaviour aprovable positive or meritocratic.

[@kevinkarbonik2928]

NO, China is just buying cars and reverse engineering them, changing a few bits here and there and saving millions in R&D... The are liars, cheaters and thieves.

[@peterkotara]

@@_Wai_Wai_ We both know perfectly well that it is disingenous to pretend that European and American copying is anything remotely as blatant as that which Chinese companies engage in.

[@Mazokn]

Chinese here, always hated copycat cars since first discovered the Hyundai Sonata that copied Benz front butterfly eyes and jaguar’s rear. Glad to see they’ve evolved with unique and desirable designs nowadays like the new Ionic, but too bad I’ve swear not to buy a Korean car ever years ago. Watching your video got me thinking how European cars are running out of design cues nowadays, for example all BMW models looks rather too similar, to a point non owners can not differentiate models. Comparing Chris Bangle era, E46 3 series, E60 5 series, E63 6 series, E65 7 series which all had a legendary design all round and everyone could recognize easily, the current models since F and G chassis were introduced, they all looked so similar I could not differentiate a 3 series to a 4 or 5 from rear, even when I’m an owner of a f33. I’ve always wondered what you and Chris would think about the current BMW and Benz designs. With your past relationship with Chris, it would be extremely interesting for the whole enthusiast community worldwide to see him on your video for an interview. Millions of views guaranteed. Much appreciated.

[@wilcoblok]

Can't wait to see a design analysis of the new BMW 7 Series!

[@ArChi285]

Objective. No bias at all. Kudos.

[@cy9nvs]

I think a video about china exclusive cars from western brands would also be interesting. Been in china in late 2020 and what caught my attention were some weird looking cars from well known companies I've never seen before like the VW Tayron X.

[@goodial]

car companies tend to adapt their offerings to the various markets they are in. US and Europe have different cars as well (the VW Passat is different in the US or Europe for example), so does the Brazilian market for example (for example the VW Gol, or back then the VW SP2).

[@yourdeal2408]

@@goodial The VW GOL was also sold in China around 2007

[@MIGRANTFILM]

Love this episode master Frank! Appreciate you a lot!

[@FrankStephensondesign]

👍

[@hansdietrich83]

I would love to see a video, where you look at current cheap, average cars, like a Fiat Panda and hear your quick oppinoin on their design. something like a Quickfire Lightning round

[@maxnex7676]

I liked the Ora Punk Cat, would buy it in a heartbeat if sold in Europe. Thank you for the video.

[@promiseye4974]

Ora cat is actually selling in the UK

[@maxnex7676]

@@promiseye4974 Thanks, I saw that so hopefully the Punk Cat will also be imported for sale.

[@channel_abc123_]

Been waiting for this tbh I wish you included Arctic fox

[@felipesantossomavilla2320]

Three years ago I spent holidays at South America and I saw a lot of Mini inspired Lifans at Paraguay & Uruguay...

[@Schmitzelhaus]

10:10 Tell me that isn´t basically a Mclaren. But that BYD Han definitly has something going for it, looks nice!

[@catinusz.4741]

It strikes me more of the Renault RS01

[@ToreHansen]

I meet a CEO in uganda 5 years ago, not the one I waited to see.... Cool video!

my mom had a lifan 320, as a company car. they sold it in brazil for a while. surprisingly not that bad, price and market options considered.

[@dct124]

Frank do you mind creating a video about car doors. Specifically about Scissor doors, butterfly doors, gullwing, dihedral, etc. Also why a designer uses them, production, concept, supercar vs economy car etc

[@jensgronning4436]

The first suv looks like a Honda Pilot front facia on a BMW X5

[@HandlewithcareVibes]

1:43 you can clearly see the bonnet rising a bit

[@jrcan74]

Thanks，this topic was very interesting. As I am a Chinese I did not very against Copycat, but I'm force advice speeding up to pass over the copycat period then improve to developing period and then the leading period. For no one was able to know all knowledge by birth, of course there's some talented person, but all of us are from learning time to improve our knowledge then one day to creating some new design, the only copycat we cannot accept or neither agree was forever copycat.

[@martinwagnert]

You talk about the Lynk & Co 03 model. Lynk & Co is car company founded in Sweden and they have their HQ (with designers) in Gothenburg, Sweden. But they are owned by Geely Automobile Holdings. Same as Volvo and Polestar. Do you see Volvo and Polestar as Chinese car companies or Swedish?

[@rli6951]

Designing a car is a project, Designing a culture is a process. good to see things progress in the right way.

[@SN.77]

Thank you Frank, insightful as always. Please could you review the designs of the Nio ET7 and ET5 cars.

[@e-enginemagazin2522]

Just stumbled across this report. Incredibly interesting and good research. The Chinese are just about to bring more pleasing shapes to the market than the classic OEMs. But maybe it's because we have an old-fashioned sense of form, especially with electric vehicles ...

[@Lifeguruonafence]

I’d like to know what the interiors are like, style and quality wise especially on those early cars. Also that’s my favourite whiskey you have on the shelf behind you 🥃

[@trstmeimadctr]

I'm not sure about today, but I know that in the late 2010's even Chinese consumers had basically zero trust in Chinese cars, and they were actually something people would look down on you for owning. I'm very interested to know how much that has changed since.

[@thanglian7]

I've seen in another video about a survey that shows Chinese valuing Nio as high as a Mercedes or BMW. Very drastic change.

[@cleve21ful]

The past 5-6 years, China has been shifting to ev vehicles, and it seems that chinese companies are far better making eve vehicles than combustion engine vehicles. Some of them have technological edge in some ev categories, whereas before, they always had to catch up with combustion engines. Nio, BYD, Xpeng, Lynk& Co. are some of the most hyped brands for the ev market. With the exception of Tesla, Chinese consumers are shifting towards local brands than the usual german brands.

[@imagonnasah8319]

I'd love for another video dedicated to the Korean car market as well, with Genesis, Hyundai & Kia being what they are today but also how they evolved over time. Also, Geely's got some great designs in the SUV & sedan categories as well imo

[@swagking9961]

Great shirt frank

[@adityarajdev1]

Really nice video Frank. :) Its good to see how Chinese Market has evolved over the last 2 decades. Well done Frank cant wait for another cuppa with you next time you are in London.

[@jamesengland7461]

Thank you for all your insights and observations. It is fascinating to see the maturation of Chinese car design.

[@Ave_z]

I think the Lynn & Co 03+ looks like a car with kia stinger top headlights, a dodge charger body, and the dodge durango lights below the upper lights.

[@Just-a-guy926]

Could you please make a video on the NIO ET7?

[@designproductwithbing]

HEY Frank, thank u for the review about chinese car design history. It's a very objective comment video. back to 2000s, I think It's ridiculous and obviously wrong for copycat activity. As a chinese product designer today, I love to watch your video, thank U again.

[@FrankStephensondesign]

Thank you Daniel! 👍

[@jamesli2040]

it's down the high level management's thinking, tho many car company in China start looking for fresh design and ideas, still there are company keep that old time business thinking and not to do so, company like these believe they bring the numbers up back in the day with "copycat" strategy then they can do it again. what China's car market become today shows company that knows explore new design and what a car should be in future, is a big turnaround from the 90's, Yet it still needs time to let this type of business thinking to become solid and standard. Chinese car market is a movie been play fast forward, from what it has started to what happen today, give people curiosity of what will happen in the next year, next five years and forward.

[@xmb6793]

i think the old style company would slowly die if they refuse to change. it's the nature of the industry...

[@omnom6474]

Love your content. Please do an analysis on the Lotus Eletre.

[@jeremyr7147]

Really like that mecca dragon though. Fan of those sharp lines.

[@theodormaier9142]

Hello Frank, can you talk about Pininfarina Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta Concept?

[@jellene4eva]

aside from HongQi, and the Nio, the other car designs gives me the impression of 1 word -- bulky. Even the copycat ones feel like they're gonna roll over if they turn too tight around the corner. like someone wearing an oversized shirt and baggy pants around the knees.

[@Sanpedranoazul]

What a great subject, congrats!!! They still haven't got their own design language

[@cap7ainskull]

Lagavulin 16 nice choice , Mr.Frank nice choice

[@Retroscoop]

Except for the BYD Han, I didn't see anything that led to me imitating Kate Bush, when she sang... Wow-oh-wow-ooh-WOOOOW, un-be-lieeeee-ve-ble.... They'll get there eventually, but for the moment being, nothing that belongs in a car museum that takes its responsabilities extremely serious.

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

Mecha dragon looks like a rebodied Chrysler 300 with 350z headlights. You should talk about the nightmare battery replacement situation with the EP9.

[@riaz8783]

We definitely need cars like the Wuling Mini EV shipping worldwide.

[@riaz8783]

@@moa-wg3bo Dacia's score terribly for safety, so I don't get why that'd be better. Either way people are already driving things like the Citroen Ami or motorbikes. Even if it was more expensive than the Sandero, you make your money back on running costs.

[@FBISHOJI]

For small country yes

[@user-bx6lf3pb4v]

The Chinese car industry and their design was strongly limited on the state of their production technology. Even if they had good designers, it was simply not possible to produce something entirely on their own. It’s astonishing and scary how fast the industry developed though, a couple more years and they will produce with the same quality as the other major car producing nations.

[@ristekostadinov2820]

China up until few years ago never let any foreign car company to have 100% stake (1st company was Tesla), they were partnership with local companies and over the years they gained experience. India on the other hand just wanted other car brands to open up factories in India if they don't want to face tariffs (Thailand also had some rules, like the car companies using components from the domestic market). Both countries leveraged their large population/market in some way respectively.

[@kristoffer3000]

Chinese cars are already at the same quality as Western cars, I walked around and sat in a BYD Tang in a showroom here in Norway and I was stunned, it was like being in a Mercedes in terms of quality and I say that as a Mercedes driver.

[@haidongzheng3009]

@@kristoffer3000 Try Nio. They are the best of the Chinese bunch. I’m actually surprised that Frank didn’t talk about Nio’s ES8/6 and ET7, though he did include a few brief slides in the video.

[@kristoffer3000]

@@haidongzheng3009 Sadly not found any here yet, I know we got a few ES8's running around but they're quite rare still.

[@yourdeal2408]

The quality of Chinese cars exceed already the quality of many US and EU brands

[@FalcoBikes]

One reason for the latest crop of nicer car designs is that major global brands are adopting their family approach (i.e., the CLS looks just like the A class and CLA stretched out a little) and western designers are increasingly finding it difficult to get jobs and opportunities to realize their artistic aspirations. Therefore many of them landed in China. For example, the Lynk & Co cars mentioned in this video are designed by Peter Hordbury who is a vet designer from Ford and Volvo. Of course Chinese designers are getting along with the western colleagues and becoming a force themselves.

[@a.c.vermillion]

I love your shirt, Frank

[@broddvonbronto]

Great video! I did miss Xpeng, Zhiji, Li One, Aiways, Weltmeister, Byton and Zeekr ;) Such big competition coming from China nowadays.

[@Gdank72]

Hi Frank, have you seen the new MG EV 4 ? It's starting to take the UK by storm ... compact, cheep, good looking ... even striking at some angles.