Chinese Fake Car Kits Turns Brilliance Into BMW

Published: Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 14:41 [IST]

Chinese automobile companies regularly launch models that are near exact copies of models from Western car brands. Local brands that look like BMW, Mercedes, Audi and others, are commonplace on Chinese roads. While authorities as well as the victims know about Chinese car companies blatantly ignoring copyright laws no action is taken due to poor copyright laws.

Besides copycat car models there is yet another way in which cars in China can turn into a Western luxury model. This is done using fake car kits. Easy to fit, with a price that is significantly less than buying a new car, fake car kits of BMWs, Mercs and even Lexus are sold openly. Here are some images to give you a clearer picture.

Brilliance H530 Being Converted

Brilliance H530 is one model that is widely converted into a BMW 523Li. Here are a series of images gathered by guys over at CarNewsChina which show the H530 being converted.

Brilliance H530 Being Converted

Everything including BMW kidney grills, BMW roundels and model numbers can be fitted on to the H530

Brilliance H530 Being Converted

The locally built BMW 523Li in China costs 428,600 yuan or US$ 68,800, while a Brilliance H530 costs 79,800 Yuan to 125,800 Yuan or US$ 12,900 to US$ 20,200.

Brilliance H530 Being Converted

Cost of converting the H530 into 523Li is as less as $63.

BMW is just one example. Other models include BAIC's BC301Z which is converted into a Mercedes-Benz and BYD's S6, which is converted into a Lexus. Prices range from around $63 to $95.