Why Do Lynk & Co and Porsche Look So Similar?
4 Answers
The designer of Lynk & Co is the same designer from Porsche. Here are the relevant introductions: 1. Porsche: The new 911 features a completely redesigned bumper, appearing more compact and refined than the current model. The rear design adopts an overall wrapped style, lacking the layered feel of the current model. The rear ventilation holes and spoiler also feature a new design, with the entire rear adjustment enhancing the vehicle's aerodynamics. 2. Lynk & Co: Utilizes a variety of luxurious materials including soft-touch plastics, custom imported genuine aluminum trim panels, North American top-grain Nappa leather, Nubuck genuine suede, and Oeko-Tex100 allergy-certified fabrics.
I think many people have noticed that Lynk & Co and Porsche look quite similar in appearance, especially in terms of front-end design and headlight styling. This might be because the automotive design world is currently embracing this sporty family language. As a new brand under Geely, Lynk & Co's designer, Peter Horbury, previously worked at Volvo, bringing Nordic minimalism to the table. However, Porsche's iconic frog-eye headlights and streamlined body are too distinctive. New brands often leverage these elements in their early stages to quickly gain market recognition. This isn't plagiarism but rather a tribute in design, much like how new directors pay homage to classics in films—the goal is to win consumers' hearts at first sight. After all, modern car design is becoming increasingly homogenized, with everyone pursuing low drag coefficients and a sporty feel, so some similarities are inevitable. But when you look at the details, Lynk & Co uses more youthful colors and materials, targeting average family users, while Porsche leans toward the luxury niche market.
I guess Lynk & Co imitates Porsche's design to elevate its brand image, since Porsche represents performance and luxury, the dream car for young people. Lynk & Co targets the mass market, especially those in their 20s who may have limited budgets but aspire to premium cars. Borrowing the styling of well-known brands can quickly build trust. The automotive industry is highly competitive, and new brands must use familiar elements to enter the market—this strategy is called brand leverage, which Toyota and Honda also employed in their early days. Lynk & Co's actual technology differs; for example, its platform originates from Volvo, emphasizing intelligence and eco-friendliness, unlike Porsche's focus on sports car DNA. The similar design also sparks discussions and increases visibility, attracting potential buyers. Overall, this reflects consumer psychology—people judge quality by appearance, and Lynk & Co cleverly leverages this.
This is likely the result of cost efficiency and globalization trends. In automotive R&D, sharing design elements can reduce costs, especially for emerging brands. Lynk & Co relies on Geely Group's supply chain, making it easier to produce parts with similar appearances, unlike Porsche, which invests massive resources. Design homogenization is becoming the norm, with many brands borrowing mainstream styles to meet the visual comfort demands of average users. Lynk & Co's core technology is based on pure electric and connectivity, creating significant differentiation.