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Asian copycat rips off motorcycle brand

Vietnamese Ducati Monster copycat ripoffs
Vietnamese "Monsters"

It seems Asian countries believe they are above international trade laws that bind other countries with the latest copycat ripoff being these Vietnamese “Ducati” Monsters.

The “Monsters” are made by Vietnamese company Quang Phuong Motor with a Thai-made 107cc engine and a four-speed transmission.

They even include “Ducati” on the fuel tank.

Vietnamese Ducati Monster copycat ripoffs
Vietnamese “Ducati Monster” ripoffs

We all know Asian countries make cheap copies of well-known brands and many of us probably have a Gucci belt made of plastic in an Asian sweatshop.

That might seem harmless, but they also make blatant ripoffs of larger products including motorcycles and even cars.

Check out this electric Honda Goldwing from a Chinese manufacturer.

Chinese Goldwing copycat
Chinese “Goldwing”

And how about this Chinese copy of a Range Rover Evoque?

Land Wind's Range Rover Evoque copy - Chinese Goldwing
Land Wind’s Range Rover Evoque copy

Why is it a problem?

So why should we care? How does it affect us? Doesn’t it just mean cheaper products?

It’s simply wrong on so many levels.

First of all there is a humanitarian concern as many of these copycat companies use child labour and/or pay slave rates.

We don’t expect these “Vietcatis” will ever be imported to any country that supports international trade laws. However, it hasn’t stopped some manufacturers from exporting models that are design ripoffs.

Copycat vehicles are also a major safety concern for the occupants and other road users as they rarely meet safety standards. This could be a risk to you if you are visiting that country or they are imported to your country.

There are also ramifications for automotive companies which are losing revenue from these ripoffs. And as customers of these companies it is in our best interests that they are profitable and don’t end up on the scrapheap like Buell and Victory Motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson is one of the most copied brands around the world, mainly their merchandise. They have a team of lawyers who actively pursue copycat manufacturers.

harley-davidson-sue-forever-21-counterfeit-badges-3-21-1474454019.jpg copycat
Harley-Davidson jacket ripoff

However, the Chinese in particular are thumbing their noses at lawyers and international trade laws.

Several car manufacturers have tried to stop them copying their cars, but failed in the obstructive and partisan domestic legal system.

Some have thrown up their hands and formed alliances with Chinese companies to make their products for the local market.

Trade war

But with US President Donald J. Trump now threatening a trade war with China, the issue could move up a notch.

It seems the Don is intent in inflaming long-held international diplomacy.

Harley-Davidson execs meet President Trump copycat
Trump meets with Harley execs

However, it’s not as simple as increasing import duties on products from countries such as China. Many European and American manufacturers use parts and components made in these countries.

So long as the rest of the world refuses to do anything about these cheap copies, they will become bolder and bolder.

  1. I’m just back from 1 month in Thailand where these Ducati Monster style minibikes are very popular (called the GPX Demon in Thailand). They sell for about AUD$2000 equivalent,whereas the Benelli TnT 135efi mini bike sells for around AUD$2300, and the Honda MSX (Grom) sells for about AUD$3000. The Honda is still by far the most popular of this type of bike in Thailand, and it is also in Vietnam where I also spent a month. The Ducati Monster look is not a rip-off other than a nod to the styling. Ducati do not make a mini bike and the GPX Demon styled bike poses no threat to Ducati no matter how you look at it. By the way, there are plenty of actual Ducatis in Thailand, and the mini bike is probably serving as an aspirational stepping stone for the younger Thais.

  2. That image of Harley branded riders, isn’t that an owners group invited to the Whitehouse because HD refused to allow Trump to visit the Harley Factory and Trump required propaganda? Whilst HD did send execs to the whitehouse in order to placate trump, it was a suit-and-tie job not a rideout.

    But then again a slightly out of context picture fits well with fake motorcycles.

    1. That is not a image of Harley branded riders. Those are the top executives of HD. The person talking to Mr. T is the CEO. They rode their bikes to the Whitehouse.

  3. So we are supposed to be concerned about these multinationals?, The same that move their factories offshore in the blink of an eye. So you think they dont
    run sweatshops. Hell harley davidsons slogan used to be’ by the people for
    the people’ now a lot of the ‘by’ happen to be in asia leaving a lot of jobless ‘by’
    in the states…they are just the motorcycle equivalent of macdonalds, cry me a river.

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