autoevolution
 

Update: Chinese EV Startup Unveils Range, Uses Photoshopped Mitsubishi Pictures

You don't have to be an expert in CGI to tell the images released this week by the prolific Chinese startup called WM are nothing more than computer renderings. Hell, you don't even have to see that well.
WM Motors renderings 10 photos
Photo: WM Motors/Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-SMitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-SWM Motors rendering vs. Outlander comparisonWM Motors rendering vs. Outlander comparisonWM Motors MPVWM MOtors SUVWM MOtors SUVWM Motors wagonWM Motors sedan
But while there's nothing out of the ordinary in that, these pictures hide a little more than that. Particularly the ones featuring the brand's future SUV shot from a 3/4 angle from both the rear and front. What exactly? Well, a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S.

The Chinese startup is called WM Motors and is headed by former Geely executive Freeman Shen. The company is said to have raised over $1 billion in funding in little more than a year since it first broke cover. The plan is to start mass-market EV manufacturing by 2018, and it has now shown what kind of vehicles we should expect to see wearing the WM logo.

Somewhat predictably, the roster consists of a sedan, a slightly more rugged wagon that could be considered a crossover, an MPV (minivan) and an SUV. The overall appearance of the cars is quite pleasing, and that's because the company has hired Sam Sun as its Design Director - a man formerly employed by Bentley, Volkswagen, and the resurrecting Borgward.

However, the keen eye of Fred Lambert from Electrek spotted something was amiss. The pictures, as well as the car's shape and some of its details, looked awfully familiar. A quick browse through his memory and also a pictures database revealed why that was: the SUV had been drawn directly over a Mitshubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S press image.

Needless to say, that's a big no-no. Had the "artist" removed the background, it would have been impossible to identify the source, but as it is, it's quite embarrassing for a company that has managed to garner investments of $1 billion and is ready to start building the actual cars. Car News China, a local website also reporting on the story, says that once this news is picked up by the Chinese media, some heads are going to fall at WM Motors. Let's just hope it won't be the one of whoever it was that drew these cars. They actually look beautiful. Now, can anyone tell what lies underneath the other two models?

UPDATE: WM Motor has issued an official statement denying any direct connection between the company and the alleged images. We'll reproduce WM Motor's statement in full below:

We here refer to the recent allaged concept design images of WM Motor distribute over the Internet.

As an innovative electric vehicle company, WM MOtor ahas always been paying extra attention to defenses and protections of our intellectual properties. The design process for WM Motor is strictly confidential. We have completed most of the contractula arrangements with our supplying partners. The construction for our first intelligent industry park for WM Motor's electric vehicles has already started at Oujiangkou District, Wenzhou Cit in Zhejiang Province of China. The construction site will occupy approximately 165 acres. Our first EV product will be launched in 2018. We are pleased to announce all related works have been progressing timely. WM Motor independently owns the intellectual properties that are related to its innovations and products.

Any alleged concept design images mentioned over the internet are NOT related to WM Motor to any extent. WM Motor will not hesitate to take immediate legal actions against those ungrounded reports or distributions should they cause defamation, infringement or any other harm to WM Motor.

We hereby confirm that all official updates will be firstly released at tour official homepage. We sincerely thank you for your attention.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Vlad Mitrache
Vlad Mitrache profile photo

"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie)
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories