Chinese automotive manufacturers have a long and storied history of copying other people’s cars. Sometimes, the copy is comical to anyone who’s seen the original, and sometimes it’s a serious issue of how close the copy is.
In this case, it’s a serious issue for the upcoming MG 07 performance sedan. In fact, it’s such an issue that MG’s General Manager, Chen Cui, ended a live online and interactive brand presentation early due to what Car News China describes as “coordinated user comments accusing the upcoming performance sedan of copying the Porsche Taycan and Xiaomi SU7 profiles.” Here’s what went down.
It Starts With The 1962 MGB GT
MG 07MG
MG has been trying to frame the new MG 07 as a modern evolution of the 1962 MGB GT sports car. That would be quite the evolution from a small four-cylinder-engined sports car into a large all-electric sports sedan. Now that people are seeing the final, non-camouflaged version of the MG 07’s pre-production validation units, there has been quite the backlash online accusing the design of plagiarizing the Porsche Taycan and the Porsche-fighting Xiaomi SU7.
According to coverage of the event by Sina, the comments during MG’s interactive stream became an onslaught after Cui said something along the lines of “MG07 is copied, but it is copied from the historical model of the MG brand.” He then went on to talk about being influenced by the 1962 MGB GT’s hatchback, the 1955 MGA’s shoulder line, and the “clam cover” of MG’s land speed record car, the 1959 EX181.
Matters Of Style
MG 07MG2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo side Porsche
Sina puts forward the claim that new performance coupes generally have a low-back shape due to modern aerodynamics and that it’s an industry-shared general design. In essence, all modern cars are shaped by wind tunnels, so they look similar. That’s true, up to a point, but a car is much more than the shape of its roofline. For your comparison, we offer photos (above) showing the MG in question (purple) and a Porsche Taycan (black).
The kindest way of putting it here is that the MG 07 looks like it uses visual shortcuts very heavily to associate with its competition, rather than outright copying them. According to the Sina report, “Chen Cui was choked up at the scene for a while.” That suggests an intense barrage of criticism and comments came crashing down on the executive.
!!!MODEL TAG!!! Listing Carousel 2022 Porsche Taycan
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While the MG brand is a British icon with a global following for its classic cars, it hasn’t been relevant for decades outside of classic car collectors since being absorbed by the British Leyland Motor Corporation in the 1970s. And since the MG marque was bought by the Nanjing Automobile Group in 2005, the MG badge has been stuck on cars produced by SAIC Motor.
The MG 07 is no different, so it’s hard to believe the criticism is from hardcore MG fans expressing their displeasure at the car, let alone enough to stun a Chinese executive in the middle of an online presentation. That number of commentators showing up sounds suspiciously like a concerted attack. But the question is, from where?
Base Trim Engine
EV
Base Trim Transmission
Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
402 HP
Base Trim Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)
94/88/91 mpge
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
Infotainment & Features
9 /10
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
MG 07MG
China as a country has made moves to come in line with the rest of the world when it comes to trademarks and copyright. To sell vehicles in other countries, Chinese automakers certainly can’t treat laws on plagiarism as vague guidelines. If the MG 07 could be demonstrated as plagiarizing the Porsche Taycan or Xiaomi SU7, that would create legal issues and have Porsche lawyers sharpening their knives.
However, it’s worth remembering that MG was the first Chinese brand to sell a million cars in Europe, so it’s aware of the market and laws there.
Sources: Car News China / Sina
