They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. With that in mind, the LandWind X7 4×4 is about as flattering as it gets ─ and yet Jaguar Land Rover is anything but pleased.
The Chinese-built knock-off unveiled at the Guangzhou motor show in China looks incredibly like the Range Rover Evoque, down to eerily similar headlights, body shape, radiator grille, front bumper and just about every other design aspect.
Considering the LandWind X7 sells for £14,000, much less than the £29,205-plus Evoque, and that the Chinese market accounts for 24 per cent of Jaguar Land Rover’s global sales, it’s no wonder the British company plans to complain.
Speaking to Autocar, Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Dr Ralf Speth said: “The fact that this kind of copying is ongoing in China is very disappointing. As a company we have invested heavily in China with our joint venture partner Chery.
“That commitment is based on a clear business plan, that allows us to hit our sales targets at clear prices. Anything that damages the potential profitability of our plant damages the integrity of those plans.”
Ian Callum, the design director behind the new F-Type, tweeted two pictures of the X7: “New LandWind from China. At Guanhzhou auto show. Haven’t we seen this before somewhere???”
Jaguar Land Rover recently opened up a £1 billion factory in China as part of a venture with local company Chery.
Chinese knock-off cars are more common than you might think. There was the Geely GE, a Rolls-Royce Phantom wannabe, and the Dongfeng EQ2050 – a Hummer H1 clone. There’s also another LandWind based on the Vauxhall Frontera.
So there you have it. If you want a Range Rover Evoque, care little about build quality and would like to move to China, the LandWind X7 is probably worth a look.
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