Mercedes copy

SEOUL: Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor has released what it calls a new concept vehicle, which Daimler-Benz says is a copy of its high-end S Class.

Benz has helped Ssangyong Motor develop a new car based on the German company's former middle-of-the-line E Class, but had not expected the result, called the Chairman, to resemble the S Class so closely.

Sales of the new car just recently began. Benz says that it will at least insist that the model not be exported to Europe. The Chairman does resemble the newest S Class in terms of body lines and the front grill at first glance.

In addition, Ssangyong Motor's star-shaped metal emblem recalls Benz's "three-pointed star".

One big difference is the price, since the Chairman sells for about half that of the S Class.

Benz says it learned midway through the designing process that the Chairman would look like the S Class and pressed for changes, but that its requests were ignored.

Ssangyong Motor reportedly plans to begin exports to France next spring.