What in the world is this???

[daniel]

Okay, so, anybody have any idea what in the world this thing is??? It sure looks like a Prius to me... with one leg missing. I'm not sure whether they're copying my Prius or my Xebra.

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[Y. Zhou]

It's just some random Chinese car I think. They have many different brands that are non-existent outside of China because they don't meet emissions standards.

[daniel]

Yeah, but why does it look so much like a Prius???

[Pinto Girl]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jul 3 2007, 06:01 PM) [snapback]472567[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, but why does it look so much like a Prius???
[/b]

I'm guessing that it's 'cause it's easier for Chinese manufacturers to rip off ideas, than it is for them to come up with their own. Why pen a new design when the Prius already looks so good?

It does *look* like a Prius, but I think the way the spoiler is made, for example, is different (looks like the side pieces are stamped out of the quarter panels). Even little things like this would indicate to me that the car's architecture is dissimilar to the Prius'. It also appears to be, like a 7:8 scale model of a Prius...it's tiny!!

[DGCL]

Apparently it's a tricycle made by Hongdou Motorcycle. The normal "150-ZK" on their website doesn't look like the Prius so either somebody's done that separately or that's an upcoming version.

http://www.aupamotor.com/Tricycle/Ho...otorcycle1.htm

[B Rad]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jul 3 2007, 06:01 PM) [snapback]472567[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, but why does it look so much like a Prius???
[/b]

Same reason that most all cars look alike today, lack of imagination and Corporate Heads wanting to play it safe with design ideas. Bold design has lost out to same-ness many times over the years. Remember STUDEBAKER, everybody loved those 55 56 57 MODELS, but they bought chevys and fords.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jul 10 2007, 05:57 PM) [snapback]476403[/snapback]</div>

Same reason that most all cars look alike today, lack of imagination and Corporate Heads wanting to play it safe with design ideas. Bold design has lost out to same-ness many times over the years. Remember STUDEBAKER, everybody loved those 55 56 57 MODELS, but they bought chevys and fords.
[/b]

And "back then" they all looked alike. Of course the car from "back then" looks different from "today's".

[B Rad]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Jul 10 2007, 08:17 PM) [snapback]476506[/snapback]</div>

And "back then" they all looked alike. Of course the car from "back then" looks different from "today's".
[/b]

NOT SO !! Even ford did not try to copy the Corvette when they came out with some competition, the Thunderbird.

[Pinto Girl]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jul 10 2007, 04:57 PM) [snapback]476403[/snapback]</div>

Same reason that most all cars look alike today, lack of imagination and Corporate Heads wanting to play it safe with design ideas. Bold design has lost out to same-ness many times over the years. Remember STUDEBAKER, everybody loved those 55 56 57 MODELS, but they bought chevys and fords.
[/b]

Personally, I don't think that automobiles from *any* given era "all look alike." In my opinion, that's never been true and (movements like standardizing the shape and placement of critical controls in every automobile aside) probably never will; perhaps you're just not looking closely enough...?

You don't see bold design expression in the current line of Chrysler vehicles? To my eye, those cars are at least as aggressive as any of the 'winged wonders' from the '50's, or even their '60's musclecar faire.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(B Rad @ Jul 11 2007, 01:34 PM) [snapback]476938[/snapback]</div>

NOT SO !! Even ford did not try to copy the Corvette when they came out with some competition, the Thunderbird.
[/b]

Yes, there are a few exceptions. The Corvette and the small T-Birds being two of them. However, I find the newer 'vettes (this generation & the last) hard to differentiate from other cars. In the '80's my Delta 88's looked like the sedans from Ford & Chrysler. Over the last decade they all look like jelly beans. Scrape the badges off and I believe most people will have a hard time identifying them.