Some say all modern cars look the same. But when it costs between €500 million and €2 billion to design a car from scratch, the car firms do not take claims of copying lightly.
Computer firms have long railed against pirated software and CDs in China. The latest complaint? Copycat cars.
Car firms are now crying foul what they deem intellectual property theft, alleging some local firms are copying the designs of their cars.
General Motors says it is investigating media allegations that the QQ minicar just launched by a Chinese domestic car producer Chery bears a striking resemblance to GM's Chevrolet Spark, due out later this year.
SAIC-Chery Automobile Co Ltd, which sold 50,000 cars last year, denies the allegation.
The Spark is based on the Matiz, made by GM's South Korean unit GM Daewoo Automotive and Technology Co, so experts reckon it cost little to adapt for China.
The Matiz probably cost some $500 million to develop, according to car consultancy Autopolis.
"As the market matures, you are getting more mature attempts to rip off other people's intellectual property rights," said Ben Goodger at intellectual property consultancy Rouse & Co International.
Besides GM, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen have also been ensnared in disputes as they pursue a market where car sales leapt 56 per cent last year to break the million barrier for the first time.
- Reuters