Chinese Automaker's Future Designs Supposedly Revealed on Internet
A Chinese blog is displaying what it calls "exclusive spy shots of a new Geely C-class sedan." The pictures show various influences that the automaker may be calling into play, ranging from Lexus to BMW and even Cadillac.
One can only guess whether these illustrations really originate from Geely. Some of them are clearly Photoshopped versions of original Lexus press pictures, while others show very clear BMW and Cadillac influence. In any case, Geely is not known to have set up a styling center of its own.
On the other hand, Geely and its subsidiary, Shanghai Maple, are known for their ruthless copying of Western designs. Geely started out as a company by building Daihatsu copies with unfortunate-looking imitation-Mercedes grilles. Shanghai Maple invoked the wrath of Peugeot-Citroën by using its chassis technology. Nowadays Geely is trying to move away from this checkered past and craft a more upmarket image. If an upper-midsize executive sedan should ultimately be realized, these initial sketches reassure us that Western carmakers have nothing to be afraid of for the foreseeable future.
