The US Court has finally allowed Mahindra to build and sell the Roxor Off-Roader in the USA market.
Mahindra & Mahindra is one of the most popular automobile brands in the Indian market. It offers a wide range of vehicles in multiple segments. However, the Indian car manufacturer has faced many challenges in selling its popular models abroad. Brands like Jeep have raised objections over copyright violations. Finally, Mahindra & Mahindra has received a favourable judgement from the Easter District Court of Michigan. As per the new ruling, now Mahindra can build and sell the Roxor in the USA market.
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According to the US court’s decision, Mahindra can continue the production of the post-2020 version of the Roxor. The company can also sell the off-roader in the US market. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been on the other end of the legal battle. It claims that the Mahindra Roxer took its design from Jeep SUVs and other products. The FCA stated that the Roxor was a copy of the iconic Willys Jeep. Despite these challenges, it has become an affordable off-roader in the United States.
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FCA Vs Mahindra Legal Battle
The long-running dispute started in 2018 when Mahindra introduced the Roxor in the US and Canadian markets. After a complaint by FCA, an investigation was launched by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The results were in favour of FCA. It noted multiple similarities with trademark-protected Jeep components. The ITC also ordered Mahindra to rework Roxor’s design.
Complying with the court’s directive, Mahindra launched an updated version of the Roxor in 2020. However, FCA continued with its efforts to ban the FCA the off-roader in the US market. As a result, the Detroit federal court blocked the sale of pre-2020 Roxor models. However, it allowed Mahindra to sell the redesigned version. The US court noted that the heavily redesigned version is unlikely to cause any consumer confusion.
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“Safe Distance” Rule
The decision of the Detroit court was soon deemed to have used incorrect tests by the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals. As per the appeals court, Mahindra is a known infringer and it should have been held to a stricter standard called the “safe distance” rule. The case was remanded back to the Detroit court. The new orders asked for a reassessment of the similarities between the post-late-2020 Roxor and Jeep’s trademarks/ distinctive designs.
Mahindra Roxor Design & Specs
Thanks to its rugged design and off-roading capabilities, the Mahindra Roxor has gained popularity in the United States. It features a classic off-roader design (similar to the legendary Willys Jeep) based on the Mahindra Thar M2DICR variant. The new off-roader comes in 2 and 4-seater options. The Mahindra Roxor is manufactured by Mahindra Automotive North America. It is designed to tackle challenging terrains with ease. Along with off-roading, the new off-roader has also received a US permit for their legal operation on roads in some states.
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The off-roading vehicle is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 62 hp of peak power and 144 lb-ft of maximum torque. It is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or optional 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, the part-time 4WD system can be engaged while tackling uneven landscapes and rough terrains. The redesigned Mahindra Roxor was launched in 2020 with a price tag of $16,599 USD/ $19,399 CDN.
