Posted on 07/24/2023 5:00:53 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
A court has ruled that Jeep's lawsuit against Mahindra over the Roxor UTV has no ground to stand on since the off-roader's substantial redesign. As a result, Mahindra is clear to sell its distant relative to the Wrangler in the United States.
The pair's legal spat began in August 2018 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now part of Stellantis) complained to authorities of the Mahindra Roxor's visual similarity to the Jeep CJ. Jeep described the Roxor as a "nearly identical copy" as quoted by Automotive News, pointing to its "boxy body shape with flat-appearing vertical sides and rear body ending at about the same height as the hood."
It's not just the Roxor's body that was similar, either. The vehicle is descended from license-built CJs dating back to the late 1940s. In some major mechanical respects, its design is still similar to the CJ, meaning it stands to eat into sales of Jeep's off-road staple the 2024 Wrangler.
In June 2020, the U.S. International Trade Commission initially took FCA's side, stating the Roxor infringed on Jeep's trade dress (its appearance) and recommending a ban on importing and selling Roxor parts. Mahindra responded by aggressively restyling the Roxor for 2020, which satisfied the ITC.
Now, Bloomberg reports the Eastern District Court of Michigan has ruled in favor of Mahindra, re-enabling sale of the Roxor. In a July 19 decision, the court reportedly denied Jeep's request to enforce the "safe distance rule" that would've required a further redesign.
(Excerpt) Read more at thedrive.com ...
So Roxor makes a Jeep sort of like Jeep used to make Jeeps, and Fiat doesn’t like it?
Instead of whining, take a hint Fiat.
Jeeps Wranglers are far too expensive fore what they are. They need some competition.
P.S. I meant on-road competition. The Bronco just isn’t it either. For off-road, there are far better products.
I see a rounded AMC CJ hood w/ round headlights. Yeah - it looks a little like my 1985 CJ8.
It would be awesome if Sub $10k NEW vehicles starting hitting.
10k has been the “dealer fee” on many new cars on top of the sticker price.
An Indian company
Dear Fiat:
Make products people want.
Signed,
Consumers
Those flat fenders and 5 bar grill don’t ring a bell? Lol!
Honestly I’m surprised Jeep didn’t go after ford....as far as I’m concerned the new bronco ripped off the Wrangler 6 ways from Sunday.
Mahindra licensed the Jeep Wrangler CJ6 for production in India, and has built them for use there ever since.
When Mahindra brought the Roxor to the U.S. to sell at their Mahindra tractor dealership network, Chrysler objected because of trademark infringement of certain Jeep cosmetics like the 7 vertical slot grille, and a court agreed.
Mahindra redesigned the Roxor to remove these cosmetic features, which resulted in this court ruling that Mahindra could resume Roxor sales.
Jeep CJ6, Roxor 1.0 and Roxor 2.0:
“10k has been the “dealer fee” on many new cars on top of the sticker price.”
Not any more. Car sales have all but stopped lately. Dealers are now advertising discounts from MSRP again.
It would be nice if Jeep, Mahindra or somebody, would reach back into the past and build vehicle that had the utility of the original Willys Jeeps:
1940s WILLYS JEEP PROMOTIONAL FILM -- THE JEEP FAMILY OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES
One thing I'd like from India is an MT 180. They bought the patent from Mitsubishi.
Mitsubishi MT180 circa 1981 (I have a 2wd version)
MT180 currently being made in India
That company doesn't export to the US though. The Mitsubishi was a good little tractor. 40+ years old and mine's still going. 3cyl diesel.
$18,899 starting price. Considering India quality standards, I think spend my $19K on a used Wrangler.
I’m sick of congressional car mandates, and I think the consuming public is too. I hope this trend continues. Simpler, cheaper cars will take over the car market and the current crop of breakdown-prone cars will fade into the junkyard of history.
If you like your uaw built car, you can keep your uaw built car.............
I can’t speak to that Indian company, but I can’t tell you that Royal Enfield’s 650 twins introduced 5 years ago have changed the worldwide landscape for bikes in that class.
While I’m not going to give up my indian, when their new super meteor gets to the dealer in August I intend to go over and take a ride on that thing.
“Honestly I’m surprised Jeep didn’t go after ford....as far as I’m concerned the new bronco ripped off the Wrangler 6 ways from Sunday.”
Ford has more money for lawyers than Mahindra, and the Bronco base price was higher than the Jeep.
I wish Suzuki would start importing cars here again and include the Jiminy which is a slightly modernized version of the Samurai. They are also relatively low priced. My 88 Samurai is pretty spartan, manual trans, crank windows, no electronics at all to speak of, but it’s hard to beat it offroad. It will go where most 4wds are just to wide, long, heavy or expensive to go. I’d buy a Jiminy or maybe 2 if Suzuki ever starts importing to the US again.
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