Rolls-Royce set to take action on copycat car
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is considering suing a Chinese carmaker for allegedly copying its designs.
The luxury car giant, based at Goodwood, near Chichester, is taking legal advice after the Geely company unveiled a vehicle bearing a striking resemblance to the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The Geely GE was unveiled last week at the Shanghai Motor Show – at the same time the original Rolls-Royce model was also being displayed.
The Chinese model even bears a silver winged figure on the bonnet, mimicking the famous 'Spirit of Ecstasy' which has become the hallmark of a Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce spokesman Andrew Ball said they were taking the matter extremely seriously, but it was not the first time they had seen a car which came too close for comfort.
'There's been a couple of copycats along the way,' he said.
'In one sense it's quite complimentary, but we have to be protective of our brand image.
'We're having a bit of a chat with our lawyers about where we could take it.
'We have seen a couple of cars which clearly take inspiration from the Phantom. But often these are concept cars which they build just for a motorshow.
'It has differences, but if you put them side by side there are similarities of design which are clearly inspired by Rolls-Royce.'
While the Phantom, below, starts at 250,000, the Chinese model costs a more modest 30,000. In the past, manufacturers have been found to be selling bodykits for cars to make them look like Rolls-Royces.
James Baggott, editor of the Gosport-based Car Dealer Magazine, said: 'Knock-off designs of classic British cars reproduced in China are nothing new – it's been happening for years. But despite that, this is the first time I've seen a Phantom cloned.
'China is a massive market for Rolls-Royce – especially as it's relatively shielded from the world's economic woes – and the marque's popularity over there is the reason why this car has emerged.
'Lawsuits of this type are hard to contest and very complicated.
'But it's important for a carmaker as precious of its brand as Rolls-Royce is to fight its corner.'
DESIGN COPYRIGHT
Rolls-Royce's Spirit of Ecstasy flying lady, its distinctive front grilles, name and logo are all protected and cannot be copied.
Among the unusual design features of the vehicle is a one-seater rear section, with a 'throne'-style back seat sandwiched between two panels.
With the rise of Asia as an economic powerhouse, China has become one of Rolls-Royce's main markets, growing by 50 per cent last year.
The firm is getting ready to launch its Rolls-Royce Ghost, and recently installed a new production line at its facility in Goodwood, outside Chichester, as it prepares to begin building them.
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