Is COPYING Designs The Smartest Sales Strategy For Sub-Premium Brands And Do Customers REALLY Care?

We're just days away from the pomp and hype at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.

Photos and info are already leaking out and the nets ablaze with rumors of what will be the hotties at the show.

But what is interesting to us is the trend we see from a LOT of companies.

How do we say this diplomatically?

Ah, screw it...The trend of DOWNRIGHT COPYING of designs.

This used to be reserved territory for the Asian brands but no more.

Seems like it's getting rampant.

Just take a look at our cover shot of the Ford Explorer profile next to the 2013 Range Rover.

Or look at our first pic below of the upcoming A7 concept from Hyundai...sorry, HCD-14.

And how about that Ford Fusion face which is a COMPLETE ripoff from Aston?

Or the Infiniti Q50 headlight teaser that looks EXACTLY like the Bangle 5-Series headlight?

This all begs the question...

Is this a smart strategy and do people even notice or CARE?

How many Explorers are being sold as the poor Cougar's Range Rover?

Our guess is A LOT.

And as naughty as it is, it seems to be working.

Plus there's no sign of a Samsung/Apple copyright battle brewing.

It seems the the people are speaking with their wallets and saying give me something I can afford that LOOKS LIKE that Bentley and you got me.

What are your thoughts on this question Spies?

Are we on to something and does it bother YOU?

Spies, discuss...

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