China and Lack of Land Rover Series?

[kenscs]

Likely a pretty obvious issue of closed import issues, but curious after just returning from China for two weeks, that I realized in the last 10 years I have been going there on a regular basis for business, I have NEVER seen a Land Rover Series of Defender. Lots of new high end Rovers, but none of the classic ones. Considering the number in Australia and African continent I see, it is interesting that none seems to have made it to China.

I guess another aspect is that China (except Hong Kong) was never a Colony of the Empire, so never brought in by the MOD. I have been looking to snap a photo of one in China, and over many years, never have seen one.

Anyone know the history of this?

[SafeAirOne]

Are you sure those were high-end Land Rovers and Range Rovers you were seeing? Perhaps Land Rover isn't in China at all and what you were seeing was a true marvel of Chinese originality and ingenuity.

In fact, I think the scoundrels at Land Rover may have counterfeited this Asian beauty and reverse-engineered it to cobble together their own version called the "Evoque", all in an effort to hitch their wagon to the world-renown brand reputation that Land Wind has worked so hard to establish over the last 60+ years:

[Les Parker]

http://www.carnewschina.com/2014/11/28/how-much-exactly-is-the-landwind-x7-a-clone-of-the-range-rover-evoque/

Interesting ! Wonder if there's a diesel version on the way.

[stomper]

The Havel motor company from China has been buying up old designs of vehicles and reproducing them. The are making the old model of the Land Cruser Prado/ Lexus GX470, as their H5 model, and many others.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_Motors

[64Blue]

I noticed the same thing a couple weeks ago over there.... even in HK, you'd expect to see more series. I was hoping to find an old parts store stocked up with NOS... or at least discover some interesting things.... no dice at all... and I spent a fair amount of time looking...

but the bright side, is off to London tomorrow, the land of Rovers, so will get to see all shapes and sizes...

[kenscs]

I guess if they are buying up designs for Land Cruisers and Land Rovers I am in good shape. I have both.

Actually, the market for Series could be like Chateau Lafite over there. If we can make it a status item, I might be able to get back the money I have poured into the old girl. I have been thinking about how to get China interested in all the Vermont real estate I need to sell as well.... Slogan, "Anyone can own Gucci or Rolex, but only the special few can own a 1971 Series IIa, partially restored, half painted ex-MOD Series IIa. Bond, James Bond."

[o2batsea]

If you're near Shenzhen you might spot this happy 110 owner:

http://www.defendersource.com/forum/f65/from-china-with-110-a-65915.html

[LaneRover]

I think its important to remember that not until the 90's were most of the Chinese population trading in their bikes. They have gone from bikes to modern cars - kind of like how Africa has gone from no modern communications in the bush straight to cell phones.

In the 50's and 60's they were too worried about not starving to death because of Mao's 'economic plan'.

That is probably why you don't see old Land Rovers