Malcom Bricklin, who began a collaboration with Chery motors back in 2004 in an effort to help the Chinese automaker sell new cars in the U.S., is suing the automaker for a whopping amount of $14 billion. Bricklin’s company V Cars LLC (formerly Visionary Vehicles) filed the lawsuit against Chery and its partners, including Israel Corp.
Bricklin argues his venture provided Chery with business plans and ideas to enter the U.S. market, which Chery took and used after abandoning the deal with V Cars. The lawsuit also alleges upfront investments of $26 million were also made to Chery. The lawsuit is seeking $14 billion, which represents the potential profits V Cars feel it lost out on as a result of the deal falling through.
Finally, the lawsuit wants the government to impose injunctions that would keep Chery from selling vehicles based on the plans supplied by V Cars. The lawsuit was filed at the Federal District Court in Detroit recently.
Chinese automakers, Chery included, are already widely scorned for copying the exterior designs of other companies.
