Mercedes may sue over Chinese Smart copycat

Mercedes-Benz is planning on taking legal action to stop European sales of Shuanghuan Noble microcar, a Smart ForTwo copycat. China Automobile Deutschland plans to sell the car after it makes its Frankfurt debut this September.

A Mercedes spokesman told Automotive News Europe: “We take intellectual property very seriously and we reserve the right to pursue legal action. (The Noble) is a blatant attempt to copy a product of ours that has achieved cult status worldwide.”

He said that Mercedes has already contacted Shuanghuan in China but declined to say what the two auto makers spoke about.

The Noble microcar has four seats instead of two like the Smart ForTwo, and is expected to be priced around 7,000 euros.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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