by Dongfeng EQ-REBORN Concept: A Tribute to the Past or a Copy of the Scout?
At the Beijing Auto Show, Dongfeng introduced a new concept car called the EQ-REBORN. The manufacturer positions this SUV as a “smart light off-road vehicle” that pays homage to the military EQ240 from 1975.
That sounds quite noble, and undoubtedly, the brand has a rich history and heritage to draw inspiration from. However, there is one nuance. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Scout Motors, not the EQ240, should feel very flattered right now.
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Obvious Design Borrowing
Dongfeng can say whatever it wants about the design of the EQ-REBORN, but the reality is simple. It looks very much like the Chinese automaker blatantly copied the Scout Traveler. This is not a case where only the general silhouette looks proportionally similar.
Of course, the angles and dimensions seem almost identical, but it’s the small details that reveal the outright copying. The blunt front end, flat side panels, floating roof, and vertical glazing are much closer to the new Scout EVs than to a military vehicle from the 1970s.
Even the car’s stance screams modern lifestyle off-roader, not combat utility. Undoubtedly, Dongfeng included some heritage elements to honor the EQ240, but it feels like marketing noise rather than a legitimate cover for what we are seeing.
The Chinese Approach to Design
None of this is particularly shocking. Chinese automakers have long balanced on the line between “inspired by” and “copied from.” Sometimes they don’t even bother pretending the line exists. Dongfeng has not yet released technical specifications, showing only the exterior design and part of the interior, along with a video that looks AI-generated. So for now, the EQ-REBORN remains mostly a stylistic exercise.
The Irony of Timing
Timing makes this situation especially amusing. Scout Motors is trying to keep its production plans afloat, and they seem to be hitting difficulties. Meanwhile, a Chinese automaker has already created an almost identical design and presented it to gauge customer interest.
At least the good news for Scout is that Dongfeng will likely never sell the EQ-REBORN in the U.S., even if it goes into production with lightning speed.
This situation demonstrates how Chinese automakers can quickly respond to global trends, even if it means directly copying a design. For Scout Motors, this could be an additional challenge, as their unique style has already been replicated, albeit in a different market. At the same time, it underscores how important intellectual property protection is in the automotive industry, especially when it comes to a design that could become iconic.
