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New Delhi: Mahindra Thar is once again in the news, and this time in Australia. Stellantis, formerly FCA Automobiles has once again taken Mahindra & Mahindra to the court because of its design. In a teaser advertisement, Mahindra’s Australian website released the image of the Thar asking people to register their interest.
Mahindra is expected to launch the new Thar 4×4 off-roader in the Australian market, as per reports. However, Stallantis raised objection to the launch saying the design of the Thar infringes on its intellectual property because it appears similar to the Jeep Wrangler. Also Read: BS6 Isuzu V-Cross And Hi-Lander Pick-Up Launched
Stallantis has demanded that Mahindra must not launch the vehicle in Australia, and even if it does the company should notify Stallantis 90 days in advance.
What does Stellantis claim?
As per the statement issued by Stellantis, the company said, “FCA US LLC and FCA Australia Pty Ltd. (FCA), both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Stellantis N.V, have requested that Mahindra immediately cease and desist from all activities related to the import, distribution and sale of the Thar product in Australia. FCA firmly believes that Mahindra is seeking to intentionally infringe the intellectual property rights of our Jeep brand, specifically the Jeep Wrangler. FCA will pursue all available avenues to stop Mahindra from continuing to make misleading and deceptive representations in relation to our Jeep brand, pass off their Thar as a Jeep Wrangler and infringe our design rights.”
What’s Mahindra stand?
Meanwhile, Mahindra has said that the company has filed its reply to the notice clarifying it has no plans to launch the current model of the Thar in Australia. As per the source quoted in Financial Express, the company has repled in the proceeding commenced by FCA. The source added, “We would provide adequate notice to FCA, as is requested If we were to launch any future model of the Thar in Australia. The Court has listed the case to be heard on May 20, 2021.”
The teaser image has since been removed from Mahindra’s Australian website. The Indian automaker is adamant that it has no intentions to launch the Thar in the Australian market currently. Indian manufacturer has been promoting the new-generation Thar down under for the past six months.
It is not the first time FCA had taken the latter to the court. Earlier, also it objected to the design of the Mahindra Roxor saying it was almost identical to the Jeep. The Indian automaker won the legal battle in the US over the Jeep Trade Dress regarding the 2021 Roxor off-road vehicle.
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