What in the world is this???

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.

 

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

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!!

 

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/HongdouMotorcycle1.htm

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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.

 

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

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.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DGCL @ Jul 10 2007, 05:40 PM) [snapback]476397[/snapback]</div>

Whoa, those car body tricycles are wierd looking. I just got back from a month in China and I don't think I saw a single one. But I saw some nice looking mini-mini-vans, including one with a BMW like grill.

Re Prius Style: Although it's unique, it's not as if the Prius was an entirely original design. No designs are. It's all evolutionary. In fact the Prius borrows a lot from a few generations ago's Chevelle Malibu, not to mention several generations of Citroens.

 

Perhaps if some of our Chinese reading folks out there could lend a hand & read the script on the back, it may be informative.