I have been working on and off in China for the last 4 years. I have seen many "Chinese Copies" of military equipment and we should know there is no better copiers than they! They can reverse engineer nearly any product simply as they have young people highly qualified that need R30 per day to live and sleep. The sad thing is that quality is based on perception. We deliver and commissioning high quality disc brake systems, AC and DC converters etc to them. They supply via local firms the mechanicals and gearboxes. It's like comparing a Merc with a 10 year old bush bakkie used as a taxi. But, they are the first to complain about a chip mark on the paint of our products and refuse to sign handover documents till you fixed it while their own product are made off as "It's Chinese". I have been transported in many of their local cars, particular the American Buick, the "Red Flag" (Audi 100 copy), Jeep, Cherry, GWM and on top they are fair and flashy but underneath !!!!
For our use I will never buy a car from them irrespect the price. Yes it will go but safety, quality and durability is never mentoned in the same breath as sales, price and low running costs.