Beijing - Two Chinese cars said to be copies of German models will not be shown at the IAA international car show in Frankfurt next month. A spokesman for Shuanghuan Motors said Thursday that the company did not intend to display its CEO and Nobel models at the exhibition, which runs from September 13-23.
"Some salespeople wanted to take our cars to Frankfurt, but we did not give them permission," the spokesman said in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province.
The two cars at the centre of the dispute are the sports utility vehicle CEO and the compact car Nobel.
BMW has complained the CEO is a cheap clone of its popular X5 SUV, while the Nobel is said to be a replica of Daimler's SmartFortwo.
The Chinese-made SUV is almost identical in appearance to BMW's X5, especially from the rear. The German car manufacturer had reportedly threatened legal action if the CEO was shown at the IAA.
The Shuanghuan spokesman declined to comment on the allegations of product piracy.
"That is not necessary," he said. "With many cars it is the case that during their development they learn some advanced aspects from others.
"We are a legal company. Our cars are legal products. For that reason there is no reason for us to counter the allegations in detail."
The models were registered in Beijing with the Reform and Development Commission, China's top economic body, he said.
During a visit to China earlier this week, Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized what she called the "not fully legally" designed cars and lack of protection for intellectual property rights in China.
Some 1,046 exhibitors from 40 nations are taking part at the IAA, among them four Chinese car manufacturers and 50 suppliers.
Chinese manufacturer not to show 'clone' cars at German auto show
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