Is Nanjing Vs Honda war coming ahead?

10325 Views 25 Replies 10 Participants Last post by KING_OF_HILL, Aug 6, 2006

Real_I_Hate_China

Discussion Starter · Jul 14, 2006

I picked up something odd from the Nanjing's Oklahoma plant news coverage.

It is said that Nanjing plans to build three sedans in its Chinese factory. But Nanjing doesn't have rights to any of former MG Rover sedans; Rover 25 and 75 IP belongs to SAIC, while Rover 45 is a licended Honda Civic.

As I understand, Nanjing received Chinese government's permission to share SAIC's Rover 25 and 75 rights(to dismay of SAIC), but 45 is still off limit as it is a Honda IP. But if Nanjing proceeds withs its plans to build all three sedans, then it faces a legal battle with Honda. While I have no doubt that Nanjing will prevail any legal battle in China given China's history of disrespect for foreign IP rights, it will surely be banned in Europe and the US.

Will Nanjing really be the second Chery and illegally replicate another company's car?

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Windy

· #21 · Jul 17, 2006

chabbu said:
I thought that I read somewhere on the MG-Rover.org forums that Nanjing would be able to build either the 4 or 5 door (I can't recall which) 45/ZS but that Honda had all the rights to the other bodystyle. Does anyone else (Windy?) remember this?

Yes chabbu, it would have been the 4 door since as far as I know there never was a Civic saloon. Also a 4 door would also be what the Chinese people would want to buy, and I guess the people of the USA too. The 4 door is the red one I posted pictures of above.

I don't know if that story was true though - seems a little unlikely to me.

Once again, I have seen a report containing a statement from someone important at Nanjing saying that they have talked to Honda and there is no problem.

And by the way Real_I_Hate_China, Honda didn't take the drawings from Longbridge - they burned them!

SAIC spead a lot of gossip about who owned the IP, most of it was untrue.

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fightingtorque

· #22 · Jul 17, 2006

Real_I_Hate_China said:
That's not what I heard even from the administrators, ................

Don't you mean that's not what I read on the internet ?

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Real_I_Hate_China

Discussion Starter · #23 · Jul 17, 2006

I have seen a report containing a statement from someone important at Nanjing saying that they have talked to Honda and there is no problem.

Sure, as long as Nanjing doesn't produce Rover 45/MG ZS, all is well.

Honda's act of burning drawings and taking out critical equipment from the factory doesn't sound like an unconcerned party.

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Real_I_Hate_China

Discussion Starter · #24 · Jul 17, 2006

SAIC spead a lot of gossip about who owned the IP, most of it was untrue.

Some facts concerning MG Rover.

Rover Brand : BMW kept it, but licensed it back to Pheonix for a "free" use. A license of such nature is usually non-transferrable. SAIC is in a bid to buy it from BMW.

Longbridge Site : Pheonix sold it to some real estate firm then leased it back.

Rover 25/75 IP : They were sold to SAIC, then Pheonix was granted a license to use it for free. A license of such nature is usually non-transferrable.

Rover 45 IP : Honda licensed it to MG Rover ages ago. A license of such nature is usually non-transferrable. Honda terminated this license at the moment of MG Rover bankruptcy and no one shall reproduce them without taking another license. But Honda has no intention of aiding any Chinese firm.

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Windy

· #25 · Jul 17, 2006 (Edited)

Real_I_Hate_China said:
Some facts concerning MG Rover.

If those are facts then you will be able to prove them...

Here is an example of a fact for you - The IP for BMW's first car belonged to Austin (Now Nanjing) and was licensed to BMW.

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KING_OF_HILL

· #26 · Aug 6, 2006

Real_I_Hate_China said:
Continuing with Rover 45 production earns a bad reputation that is hard to shake off; an automotive pirate. When people hear the name "Chery", they recall an automotive pirate. The samething will happen with Nanjing if they choose to produce 45.

Talking about piracy? No one can exceed Koreans as Hyndai made its way through by copying from wheels to logo.

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