What in the heck is this thing?

Stylistically it looks like bits of the Wrangler mixed with bits of the Land Rover Defender.

Anyone got any idea what the hell this thing is?

Beijing Automotive Works (BAW) 212 T01

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/212_T01

The Chinese shouldn’t be allowed to just rip off Jeep and Land Rover like that.

Did they ever attempt to sue them?

I wouldn’t buy any car produced by China. I don’t care whether it’s gas, electric or how cool it looks.

The Chinese-built passenger cars and SUVs sold in the U.S. include:
Buick Envision
Lincoln Nautilus
Volvo S90
Polestar 2

Looks, hah! If they have better reliability and economics than those they are imitating, more power to them. Sooner or later China is going to get something right (after the massive Govt. subsidies). Then it will be like Japan after WWII.

I am old enough to remember when Jap products, especially electronics, were considered a laughing stock of poor design and implementation. Now they are considered the epitome of quality in many areas. China will, IMO, follow the same trajectory, just as soon as their Govt. gets out of the way, which I admit is not a given. Whether this happens before India surpasses them in this regard is also debatable. India has, by far, the better demographics as does Mexico, Brazil, and a number of other countries that are not yet on the competitive radar.

Sure is one ugly SOB. Will it keep running when it rains sideways ? That would be a sign.

that thing is dog ass ugly. I'd think so even if it was manufactured in the US.