Knockoff ROTA vs Counterfeit ROTA

[RickRacer]

Source:
http://jalopnik.com/knockoff-wheelma...eel-1137837262

'Knockoff' Wheelmaker Rota Warns Of Knockoff Rota Wheels


Rota Wheels do not enjoy the best reputation among tuners. While they do have some defenders, there's one thing about the wheels that's universally recognized: Rota designs are imitations. Now, in kind of a hilarious twist, it looks like they're battling copycats of their own.

The Filipino company mimics the style of specific premium wheels from outfits like Ray's Engineering and Mugen, executes the design using less expensive materials and methods, then sells them to those who can't or won't spend the money on the "real thing." They're not exactly known for quality, though — whenever I see Rota mentioned in a thread on a car forum, I usually scroll down to see posted pictures of Rotas shorn off at the spoke.

That in mind, I couldn't help but see some irony when Rota issued the following statement to automotive news sites in and around the Philippines, where the problem seems to persist. It made its rounds on forums like VWVortex as well, where one user brought it to our attention:

The counterfeit [ROTA] wheels have recently surfaced through some wheel dealers in Malaysia. They are manufactured in China. The most distinct feature of the 'copies' is that they are embossed with a ROTA marking on the face of the wheel, whereas the genuine ROTA [wheel] has none. They also come with a center cap bearing the 'ROTA Wheels' logo. They are packaged in plain brown boxes. Original ROTA wheels come with boxes that feature ROTA markings and 3D wheel drawings.

"ROTA Wheels undergo rigid testing using JWL/JWL-T standards to assure you that you are purchasing quality wheels. We cannot guarantee the safety of the copies so please be careful with your wheel purchases," said Michael Rojas, president of PAWI.

ROTA and its logo is a registered trademark of Philippine Aluminum Wheels, Inc.

Genuine ROTA Wheels are made proudly in the Philippines.

In other words, copycat wheelmaker Rota is worried about copycats. It's hard to not find that at least a little amusing.

Perhaps Rota has finally risen to the premium-spec brand level they tried to emulate for so long. They finally get to experience what they built their business on — remaking someone else's ideas. Well, you either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain, right? I just hope nobody dies driving around on any of these twice-over-counterfeit rims.

Since it seems the alleged counterfeiters couldn't be bothered to cross-check what sticker they were slapping on their knockoffs, unwittingly knocking off a knockoff, they probably didn't spend a whole lot of time doing R&D for structural integrity.

I feel like these same guys might put a Faux-rrari bodykit on a Fiero, leave the Pontiac badges on the hood, and try to sell it to me as a classic Italian import.

Should Rota be rip roaring mad that someone's stealing their idea, and logo, or is this a case of a copycat’s comeuppance?

[— Phatmiata —]

Best article EVER!!! Thanks for sharing!

[The Driver]

The Toolman posted this on FB. This is funny!

[—atank—]

NIce!!!!!!!!

[wannafbody]

Copying someone's else's work is the highest form of flattery(as long as no one gets hurt).

[★ revlimiter ★]

Oh Rota...

[Gene Rodriguez]

Me being lazy to read... Is this whole commotion about how rota is getting made because other knockoffs are copying them? Even though rota copies legit brands?

[BoBo]

This is funny, a copy cat being copycatted.Good share!

[— Jimmy Vee —]

Is anyone else hoping that the fake fakes are all an elaborate troll from Ray's.

[—atank—]

^^ In all respects^^

[— Phatmiata —]

Since the copy of the copies are being made in China now we should see some great ROTA "Style" wheels for only $99 a set shipped from China!

[riefdaddy]

I agree Rota wheels are copies of more expensive wheels and this is a bit ironic. They are however, copies of design, not of trademark, nor an outright forgery. That is a huge difference from someone putting your corporate name and logo on a product. Besides, what does it say about the Chinese that they want to make fake Rotas? Are they ignorant of better brands to infringe on trademarks, or are did they think that Rota was a bit player that wouldn't fight back on trademark and patent infringement like the big guys would?

[— Phatmiata —]

It's probably more cost effective (cheaper) to buy a dozen sets of popular ROTA wheels than to buy say a set of VOLK, Racing Hart, Work, Panasport, Hayashi, Watanabe, SSR, etc etc, that and im sure the lawyers for the name brand stuff would hunt you down faster if you messed with their brand recognition. And easier to fight ONE lawsuit vs 12 different companies, hhaahaa

[Jeremiah]

http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-i...-products.html

"The issue here is not that the style is being copied. The wheel industry is incestuous, and successful designs are often interpreted by different companies, both high and low end.

The issue is that Rota is developing it's brand and moving away from the crap wheels that they used to be, much like how Audi moved away from the crap cars they used to build in the 80's and early 90's. By having an outside company use their brand name and logos, Rota doesn't have control over the quality or consistency that (from the consumer perspective) is still associated with the original Rota brand. This is detrimental to Rota's company direction. If corporations are considered "people" what essentially is happening here is corporate identity theft."

I used to rock Rotas in the past (sampled over 13 sets of em on my EP3 and one set on the Miata) and they have never given me any problems. The Subaru guys auto cross with them all the time...imo for the money they are a decent wheel.

[etikoner]

Yeah, it's so much worse that they have rota engaged on the fakes instead of RAVS Engineering or or VORK Racing

.. Karma is a bitch. Lol