10.) Brilliance FRV

9.) CH Design Scorpio

8.) Lifan Mini Cooper Knock-Off

7.) Brilliance BC3

6.) MG TF Police Convertible

5.) BYD F6 Hybrid

4.) BAW B60 Jeep

3. Volkswagen Santana

2. Geely GT

1. Gullwing Amphibous Santana

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Read more coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

1. The Lifan "Mini Cooper" 320
Usually, when one manufacturer succeeds with a car another will try and take that idea and make their version different and better, a la the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. In China, when a company comes to market with a successful car rival automakers will merely make a poor imitation of it. Thus we present the Lifan 320, a car that somehow manages to maintain the original elements of the MINI we knew and loved, and manages to make it horribly and inexcusably terrible.

2. Great Wall Kunna Electric Concept
As if the Great Wall Kunna Electric concept car wasn't cute enough, there's a stuffed Panda in the passenger's seat. Though we don't think they're indicating you should pick up Panda hitchhikers (you shouldn't — they always want to control the radio), the company has embraced the idea that small cars always look odd and it's just easier to design that into the car than out of it.

3. MG TF Police Convertible
Though American undercover cops occasionally tool about in convertibles (think Miami Vice), we can't think of too many convertible, two-seater marked police cars here in the states. Nevertheless, that didn't stop the Chinese company that now owns classic British carmaker MG from making this MG TF Police Car. Though technically next door at the Police & Equipment Show, this hot little cop coupe was a hit and could be seen picking up political dissidents any day now — only one at a time.

4. Chinese Smart Clone - Harley Davidsion Edition
There's nothing special about a Chinese Smart Car clone as there are tons of them made by Shanghuan Auto. This time, however, the company's Kamino corporate rulers have one-upped themselves with the Harley Davidson Edition. That's right, it's a Smart knockoff with the knockoff of a Harley Davidson painted on the side. Genius! It even isn't big enough to hold a Harley — just like the F-150 pickup adorned with similar accoutrements stateside.

5. Souped Up London Taxi
This, technically, isn't a knockoff. Does it look like a Chinese cab? Yes. But Chinese manufacturer Geely has a contract with London Taxi Inc. to build the Black London Taxi. Totally legit. Though most think of the vehicle as a means for someone driving you around, if you need to get there in a real hurry then this TX4 "hot rod" model is the way to go. It has everything a real London cab needs, including a picture of Big Ben in the back. Tally Ho!

6. Huanghai Faster SUV
Though some Chinese companies might be tempted to take advantage of lax intellectual property laws and outright steal the popular design of the Lexus RX series SUV, automaker Huanghai should be congratulated for resisting the urge. Instead of taking the entire car, they merely took the rear 75% of a Lexus RX and grafted on the front 25% of a Pontiac Torrent for their Huanghai Faster SUV. To make it even more interesting, it's powered by a Mitsubishi engine. For reasons that currently elude our understanding, the car is flanked by car models dressed as hot cops. Maybe they just didn't fit in the MG cop car from earlier.

7. Hafei Saibao V
Though the Hafei Saibao V isn't the most original sports sedan (there's more than a touch of Mazda3 and Lancer Ralliart), we have to give them credit for taking all of the sporty visual cues they could think of — from a gigantic spoiler to super sporty wheels — and fit them all on one car. And if that wasn't enough, they also flanked it with not one, not two, but four models dressed for the prom. That's because when you want to sell a car to sporty guys you need as many gowned models as possible.

8. The Off Road BJ
If you think the BAW B60 Jeep — or BJ — looks a lot like an actual Jeep, you'd be correct. Chrysler and BAW worked together back in the day to co-develop this Jeep for non-Civilian use. Of course that development partnership fell through more than a few years ago, but why let a silly thing like trademarks, copyrights and international intellectual property laws get in the way? That may explain why it looks like the BJ has taken on a bit of Hummer and Land Rover DNA on the front fascia — BAW hopes it'll confuse anyone into thinking the other 90% is pure unadulterated Jeep. But, much like the originals, this formerly Military vehicle is ready to find use in the home of a minimally endowed real estate agent.



9. Hafei Minyi Elephant Transporter
As much as we Americans may love the idea of the minivan, the Chinese love the idea of the mini-minivan. But just in case should you think that this Hafei Minyi isn't big enough for you and your family, the company has put a stuffed baby elephant inside the strange little van to simulate the awesome carrying potential of a minivan crossed with a b-segment econo-box. Of course, even a baby elephant is a touch too big for the Minyi, so you can see the poor animal's stuffed behind sticking out the other end in a way we think would probably be a turn off for potential buyers.

10. The Hybrid Chinese Military Jeep

Kissing cousins to the BAW B60 "BJ" Jeep above, this military Jeep has what we'll call an "interesting" camouflage pattern. As opposed to the high-detail of the pixelated multicolor look of US Military vehicles, the pixels here look to be a few inches across. Was it perhaps designed to patrol the Lego cities of the future or play in some "War Games"-like game of Tetris? Despite the questionable paint scheme, the hybrid powertrain's far superior to your average Hummer. No sense sullying the air with more pollutants than necessary in your standard scorched-earth campaign, eh?

[Source/Photos: The Tycho, China Car Times, AutoExpress.co.uk]

Well, the car is allegedly made of carbon-fiber. Though we're not too sure how much time (if any) has been spent refining the aerodynamics in a wind tunnel. Power comes from a 3.5-liter engine, which is pretty impressive, considering that F1 cars only have 2.4-liters. Thing is, while the 2.4 in Ferrari or McLaren racer is a V8 estimated as making around 800 HP, the Geely's 3.5 is a V6 that we estimate as making around 80 HP— ok, maybe a little more than that. We're not saying we'd turn down a chance to take it around a track and play with its 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox, but until it gets a fancy nose piercing like Ferrari's race car, we're not so excited by the GF.
[thetycho]

Multiple part question here. Would you buy a Chinese car? Which one? Why? Why not? Would Geely's King Kong be involved? What about a Chinese-bodied Mazda6 like the FAW B50?

[via China Car Times]

This could mean that we're in for a rather impressive showing by Geely at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show accompanied by all sorts of rumors of US exports. We can't wait. [China Car Times]

We'll hazard a guess at a V8 power plant delivering BMW 6-series rivaling performance for less than half the price. If it reaches production, expect exports, probably reaching other Asian countries, but possibly, eventually targeting the North American market.

The looks reference other GT cars, we can see a little Pontiac and a little Maserati Gran Turismo for instance, but they're put together in an entirely original way. Check the aggressive wing grille and swoopy taillight surrounds, ever seen anything like those before? [Via Motor Authority]

Geely will likely also bring versions of the Free Cruiser, China Dragon, Vision and Sea Breeze to Detroit. We'll be there to cover all of the cross-border, cross-cultural fun. [Auto News Europe (Sub. Req.)]

Now this is more like it. The original Geely Beauty Leopard coupe looked like something born of congress between a Geo Storm and a first-gen Hyundai Tiburon. But with so much domestic competition, Geely couldn't default to mid-1990s Korean design constructs. It had to aim higher, and it has. Aimed, that is. Still, this new model has the same kind of ugly-appeal tension American Motors mastered in the 1970s, first with the AMX. Of course, the new Beauty Leopard has a close visual cousin in the Nissan GT-R, which also has an ugly mug but well-formed rear quarter. Looks like the '90s are over in China — finally. – Mike Spinelli

Geely finally hires a proper designer, remakes the Beauty Leopard [China Car Times]

Related:
In Russia, Geely Assembles YOU for a Happy Life!; Happy Life! Beauty Leopard Coming to Europe [internal]

Hiho! The people at Geely have nailed down a contract with former ZIL unit Automobile and Motors of Ural to assemble semi-knocked-down examples of their CK sedan for sale on the Russian market. While we'd rather have a Niva or a vintage Volga than a CK, we do find it a bit humorous that analyist Kirill Chuiko expressed skepticism over the Chinese vehicles' potential in the market in saying, "Nobody knows what those cars are like." Right. Because the Fiat-based cars made of Russian steel are the most reliable machines ever. – Davey G. Johnson

Geely Declares Plans to Start Assembling Its Cars in Russia [Moscow Times]

Related:
Geely Will Go With You for a Happy Life [Internal]

No, it's not Canadian. The Maple Marindo 504 is the latest from China's Shanghai Maple Automobile, a subsidiary of Geely. It may look like some sort of bastard Caddy CTS, but it's based on a Citro n, whose association with China goes back to the Qing Dynasty, or the 1980s (whichever came second). – Mike Spinelli

[via Supercars.net]

Related:
Homage or Ripoff? Chinese Cars that Swing Something Else [internal]

China's Geely motors plans to show off this trippy concept car, the Fengyin, at AutoChina 2006 in Beijing later this month. We're not saying it's ugly, but Battlestar Galactica called; it wants its air conditioner back. – Mike Spinelli

[via Autoblog Chinese]

Related:
China's Geely in Detroit: Little, Crooked, $10,000 [internal]

According to China Daily, the Chinese government's gonna do crash tests of their own. We think it sounds like a great idea, and we vote a crash-off between the Chery four-door and the Geely four-door. Given that no Chinese automaker has yet developed a car that can meet US and European safety standards, and if it goes anything like the Landwind SUV crash test above, it should be nothing short of hilarious. By the way — the Landwind, a Jianling Motors SUV — scored the amazingly putrid "zero" in Euro head-on NCAP testing.

China to start vehicle crash testing [China Daily]

Related:
Happy Life! Beauty Leopard Coming to Europe; More on The Great Landwind Crash-Test Fiasco of 2005 [internal]

It looks like a ten-year-old Saturn, and is about as catlike as bottle of rubbing alcohol, but Geely's "Beauty Leopard" may begin stalking Europe (and maybe North America) within the next few years. China's Geely Automobile said it would begin proceedings to bring the $7,500+ coupe — fitted with reverse-engineered Toyota parts — to the continent. No word yet on how well the Leopard might do on crash tests, though from the looks of the car we saw at the Frankfurt show last year, it will likely do far better than a 1976 Datsun B210. More pics after the jump.

Related:
China's Geely in Detroit: Little, Crooked, $10,000 [internal]

DATELINE, NOW: The "Geely Copywriter" has apparently struck again, this time on the Web. In the latest attack, a Dodge Web site promoting the 2007 Caliber was defaced by misspellings. Sources say "GC," as he's known is the obvious suspect in the incident, during which letter transpositions occurred in two words in plain view of visitors of the site. More news as it happens. [Thanks to Jon for the tip]

Related:
Oh Fudge! More Geely Humor Found in Translation [internal]

We thought nothing could top the poorly-translated Geely brochure we saw in Detroit, but we were wrong. We were treated to even more giggles when an enterprising reader (hat tip Farlane) uncovered Geely's website, which appears to have been translated using Babelfish with editing work provided by Ralphie and his Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Ring. Although almost all of it is golden, here are some of the more humorous translations...

On the Geely man-machine HQ(S-RV):

"It is belong to HQ family.Some body want lager space to put package when they go to travel.HQ(S-RV) will be your best choose,because it has a large space that ni can put more baggage."

On the sexually confused Geely MR(Sport):

"Its old name is "MS". Equipped with electronic fuel injection engine, MR Sedan has an innovative and decent design. Sheer-metal united auto body ensures the safety of passengers."

On the unfortunately-named Geely PU:

"The waistline is designed in such a clever way that it shaped a unique and sporty body. Delicate truck body fits with the streamline shape. All those show specialty of its design and multi-function characters."

But the award has to go to the Geely BL:

"Its old name is 'BO'"

Good thing they changed the name of that one. It's better, they even have an ad for the car-formerly-known-as-BL. Fortunately for them there's no speaking. Unfortunately for them the music appears to capture the sound of a Transformer farting at the end. Take a look:

Geely International Corporation Home Page [Geely International]

Related:
First Geelys Could Hit the US in 2008; Geely Will Go With You for a Happy Life; More Geely [internal]

Among China's automakers Geely may be leading the race to the US market. After a wobbly Detroit preview earlier this year, which hinted the company's cars may have an edge over Fiat's 1974 product line in quality, but are no match for the current crop of entry-level vehicles. According to AutoWeek, the company plans to start selling cars in the US by the end of 2008 — at a sticker price of around $7,500 — with a goal of moving 5,000 per year. The cars that make it to these shores will likely be a far sight better than those on the floor of the Cobo Center, and we figure they'll eat into the market for five-year-old Toyota Corollas, two-year-old Hyundai Accents and one-year-old Daihatsus, before pulling a Hyundai and vying for world domination. We can't wait to see their 2015 line.

Geely hoping for U.S. launch in 2008 according to U.S. COO [AutoWeek]

Related:
China s Geely in Detroit: Little, Crooked, $10,000 [internal]

Oh Geely. We just love you, you ridiculous little chintzy buggers. Your vehicles are plain, yet incongruous. Your press kit in comprehensible. Your grasp on the realities of the American market tenuous, at best. Yet you hang in there. And despite the fact that production of your Freedom Cruiser (pack the bong and crannk the Foghat!) is on hold in Malaysia pending some final decisions on that nation's national auto policty, you remain upbeat. Here's to you and your novel wee anti-collision rods.

China Geely s plans to assemble cars in Malaysia put on hold [Internal]

Related:
Gettin' Geely with it: Former California Lt. Gove Bullish on Chinese Cars [Internal]

John Harmer was once Ronald Reagan's second-in-command. He campaigns against pornography. And he's the COO of Geely USA. We happen to like smut, and we also think the Geely's a preposterous little pile of crap. That said, the Chinese are coming, and they will learn. Harmer's being cautious with the rollout, test-marketing the cars in Puerto Rico so they can't run off and escape, and only expects to sell 5,000 of the little buggers the first year, as opposed to Bricklin's grandiose predictions for Chery. Still, man, the only way we're getting in one is if it's equipped with the anti-collision rod.

Slow Boat from China [AutoWeek]

Related:
China's Geely in Detroit: Little, Crooked, $10,000 [Internal]

Poor Geely was all alone in corner of Cobo Hall that made the would-be Chinese import practically invisible to the Detroit show's press throngs. Still, the company quietly became first Chinese carmaker to appear at the North American International Auto Show, with its eyes on a 2007 launch of its $10,000 econoboxes. How will they do it? First, they must convince American buyers their cars' quality is on par with established carmakers'. Their show car's straightness-challenged badging, however, may have set back Geely's PR effort in that area by a few billion Yen. What's the deal with all those letters and numbers, anyway? Will American ad agencies be able to sell a Geely CK 1.5 MR7151A? We can't even remember our bank PIN.

Related:
Geely Will Go With You for a Happy Life [internal]

We can't stop giggling about the poorly-translated Geely brochure; especially the page featuring the MR (Sport), a car that features such avant-garde amenities as an alloy wheel, a high braking light, electric rear mirrors, a backup radiator, and most mysteriously of all, the vaunted anti-collision rod. Wanting to share this piece of amazing automobilia with our readers, we asked our pal James, "Is there a Geely CD?"

"No," he replied. "It's a cassette."

Related:
China s Geely Hopes to Export 300k Cars by 2015 [Internal]

Currently, Geely Group only exports 8,000 cars a year. In ten years' time, they hope do nearly 38 times that number. While that sounds like no mean feat, the Geelies are confident they can do it as they expand into Latin America, Europe and North America. We're taking a wait-and-see attitude on the Chinese invasion, but if they follow the Korean model, the PRC could be exporting machines in the faux-lux niche by 2025.

China Geely targets annual exports of 300,000 cars by 2015, eyes Latin America [Forbes]

Related:
Frankfurt Preview: Geely BL [Internal]

With no homologation for Europe yet and no distributors, but a planeload of moxy, China's Geely motors introduced four new models — none of which looked to have been counterfeited — to the European crowd. Despite having what could be the worst exhibit location in the entire joint, the PR reps cheerfully handed out press materials and presented the cars to one reporter in charmingly halting English. The reporter was somewhat taken with its BL Series, an affordable (presumably) small coupe, whose front fascia was reportedly inspired by the traditional face-painting designs of the Beijing Opera. Then he borrowed a pen, which he promptly forgot to give back. We'll probably see these guys in our parts around five years from now. Maybe they'll even ask for their pen.

Related:
China s Geely Motors Prepares Five New Models for Frankfurt Show [internal]

AutoWonder offers a new dispatch from China, all translated and packaged for non-cuniform readers. According to Sina Auto, Geely is planning to bring five new models to this year's Frankfurt show — one of which (the Chinese Dragon model, pictured) is inspired by facial painting used by the Beijing Opera. Based in Ningbo, south of Shanghai, privately owned Geely Group is aiming to export two-thirds of the cars it builds, including the Merrie, Maple and Haoqing economy models, which are sold in 30 countries in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Chinese Dragon [AutoWonder]

Related:
Nissan Minivans on a Quest to China [internal]