‘Made in China’ Mercedes G-Class imposter could be an official clone

Chinese automobile industry is full of vehicles “inspired” by popular models built by big brands in the western world. However, in a bid to make a cloned vehicle appear more authentic, BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co AKA Beiqi) which is the local partner of the German automaker Mercedes Benz according to a signed agreement, has decided to showcase a “new” concept vehicle that appears eerily similar to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class model.

Mercedes-Benz's Chinese Partner Clones

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Mercedes-Benz's Chinese Partner Clones

Mercedes G-Class Chinese Clone: BAIC B80VJ

Uninspiringly dubbed the B80VJ, the concept is headed for a world premier at the Beijing Auto Show though the company has kicked up quite a storm around the blogosphere already with both the general public as well as seasoned industry watchers seriously debating whether the concept has been created with or without Mercedes Benz’s seal of approval. Since BAIC received a $2.87 billion investment in a join-venture deal it signed with Daimler (Mercedes Benz’s parent company), most experts believe that the model must have been built after Mercedes shared their blueprints for the vehicle with their Chinese partners.

However, given Mercedes Benz’s interest in the Chinese market, the “blueprint-sharing” theory and that too for such a closely matched copy, doesn’t make much sense and if the vehicle isn’t an official clone, well, in that case we would really love to get our hands on a copy of the agreement the two companies signed for further investigation!

Anyway, the concept is sure to make waves at the Beijing Show and it would be interesting to see whether Daimler or Merc have anything to say about the production model that is expected to follow the showing of the concept.

Via: Auto Evolution / Car Scoop