A Munich court could make a tough ruling against the German importer of a Chinese car that looks just like the BMW X5.
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BMW has complained to the court that the Shuanghuan CEO plagiarises its X5 design. The importer, China Automobile Deutschland (CAD), could be liable for all of BMW’s legal costs as well as fines.
The court has asked CAD to provide full details of the number of cars sold, the prices and the delivery times. The court also wants to know about all advertising and all sales contacts. According to Automobilwoche, BMW has the right to demand the names and addresses of all individuals that have had contact with CAD regarding buying a CEO.
The managing director of the importer, Karl Schlössl, told Automobilwoche that he would not stop selling the car and that if he were asked to do he would take the case to the European Court of Justice.
Separately a dealer has made a legal complaint against Schlössl. Karl-Heinz Mengelberg, managing director of Autohaus Nord in Neumünster, said that he had ordered four CEOs and paid EUR90,000 to Schlössl. However, so far he has only received one car. That case is due to be heard on 15 July.
