Wheel Brands Warn Alibaba Copies Are Nothing Like the Wheels They Get from Alibaba
Industry leaders insist the differences are obvious if you look past the identical designs, factories, materials, and packaging.
DETROIT—U.S. wheel brands are sounding the alarm over the rise of Alibaba “copies,” warning consumers that despite coming from the same factories, using the same manufacturing processes, made from the same aluminum, and arriving in the same packaging, the wheels flooding the internet are nothing like the obviously premium products consumers should be paying more money for.
“These knockoffs are extremely dangerous,” said one wheel brand representative, pointing to a CAD rendering that matched his company’s current lineup exactly. “Our wheels are engineered to precision. Theirs are just… engineered. In the same place. By the same people. But not with our precision. It’s important that you pay for precision.”
When pressed to explain this precision, brands cited critical distinctions such as “including cool stickers,” “some random coupons for free wine,” and “center caps.” According to one executive, their wheels undergo a rigorous inspection process that includes “looking at them,” “feeling them,” and “putting our logo on the box.”
Another company emphasized that while both wheels are forged from the same alloy at the same facility, theirs are superior because they are “designed in the U.S.,” a claim backed by a text message sent to the supplier that simply stated, “make it look like this,” followed by a photo of a napkin featuring a crudely drawn wheel and the handwritten note, “BMW wheel specs pls.”
Consumers who noticed the similarities were shamed for “missing the point.”
“You’re not paying for the wheel,” explained a spokesperson. “You’re paying for peace of mind. And a warehouse. And the ability to drive your car without shame. Never forget the rep shame. You remember how much people hate reps? It’s bad. You really want to go back to that?”
Wheel brands continue to warn customers to avoid Alibaba copies, urging them instead to prioritize safety and buy the exact same wheel through them.