It is most famous for being a controversial “clone” of the second-generation Honda CR-V, leading to a decade-long legal battle over intellectual property.
While the exterior was an almost identical copy of the Honda CR-V, the chassis was actually based on the Shuanghuan Laiwang, which itself was a copy of the 5th-generation Toyota Hilux.
Honda sued Shuanghuan for design infringement in 2003. Although initial Chinese court rulings were in Shuanghuan’s favor, the Beijing People’s High Court eventually ruled in Honda’s favor in 2010, resulting in a 16 million Yuan ($2.4 million) fine and the cessation of production.
It was marketed as a much cheaper alternative to the authentic CR-V, with a price tag significantly lower than the Japanese original.
The Laibao SRV was typically equipped with older, licensed Mitsubishi-derived engines, 2.2L engine (JM491Q-ME) 4-cylinder, normally aspirated, 103HP, 193 Nm torque, petrol, 5MT.
