Shanghai Auto Show: Mercedes Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Joint Venture

by Bertel Schmitt

Published: April 21st, 2011

shanghai auto show mercedes imitation is the sincerest form of joint venture

No, this is not the Mercedes B Class. It is the Beijing Auto BC301. Supposedly , it is a blatant copypaste, performed by Daimler’s joint venture partner BAIC.

This is the real B Class. Come on, guys, where is the copy here? The colors are totally different! And the BC301 is fashionable matte.

(Honestly, after 2 days at the Shanghai Show, all these SUVlets look alike to me. It must be the Chinese food …)

Now here is something totally new: World premiere of the A-Class concept. It comes in three colors. Grey.

Blue.

And red. Which one do you like best?

#BertelSchmitt #China #Daimler #ShanghaiAutoShow

Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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3 of 7 comments

Kita Ikki on Apr 21, 2011

The rear quarter window is smaller. The wheels only have 4 lugs. The fuel filler is on the other side. The side rub strip is missing. Ha ha.

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- Cdotson on Apr 21, 2011
  
  The cut line where the front bumper cover meets the fender looks wonky on the Benz. The BAIC fixed awkward styling proportions between the hood bulge and the top fender contour and has a nicely integrated headlight lens. The BAIC appears to have a nicer interior in that it isn't a sea of Teutonic black. I'm digging the flat paint, but I hear that they're a royal pain to care for. If I can neglect a paint like that the way I neglect my silver truck and have it still look as good 9 years down the road sign me up, and I'm about the furthest from being a fan of black cars as there can be.
  
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Redliner on Apr 21, 2011

They may look the same, but honestly, which one would you rather be in during a crash? Thought so. So my question is, do the Chinese realize this? Does safety sell in china like it does in the states or are Chinese shopper more interested in the bottom line.

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