US Court Approves Mahindra Roxor Sales Amid Jeep's Ongoing Challenge

US Court Approves Mahindra Roxor Sales Amid Jeep’s Ongoing Challenge

An official ruling has determined that Jeep’s legal complaint against Mahindra concerning the Roxor UTV lacks merit due to the significant overhaul of the off-roader’s design. As a consequence, Mahindra is permitted to market its distant relative to the Wrangler within the United States.

The dispute between the two automakers originated in August 2018 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now a part of Stellantis) raised objections about the visual resemblance between the Mahindra Roxor and the Jeep CJ. Jeep characterized the Roxor as a “nearly identical copy,” quoting Automotive News, citing its “angular body structure with flat vertical sides and rear body terminating at a similar level to the hood.”

Not only was the Roxor’s physique questioned for its similarities, but the vehicle traces its lineage back to licensed-produced CJs dating back to the late 1940s. In certain significant mechanical aspects, its layout still bears resemblance to the CJ, which could potentially impact the sales of Jeep’s iconic off-road vehicle, the 2024 Wrangler.

In June 2020, the U.S. International Trade Commission initially sided with FCA, alleging that the Roxor infringed upon Jeep’s trade dress (its visual aesthetics) and proposing a prohibition on importing and vending Roxor components. Mahindra’s response was a thorough redesign of the Roxor for 2020, meeting the approval of the ITC.

According to Bloomberg, the Eastern District Court of Michigan has now ruled in favor of Mahindra, allowing the Roxor’s sales to resume. In a decision rendered on July 19, the court reportedly rejected Jeep’s plea to mandate adherence to the “safe distance rule,” which would have necessitated further alterations.

This development paves the way for the Roxor to persist in the expanding side-by-side market, offering a more economical alternative to road-legal off-road vehicles. The Roxor also boasts the allure of being smaller and mechanically less complex than SUVs such as the Wrangler or Ford Bronco, and is even eligible for road registration in certain states. However, the legality varies considerably across the nation and occasionally even within specific jurisdictions.

One thing is certain: encountering a Roxor navigating through trails in your vicinity won’t be uncommon. And if you reside in a region that permits their registration, you might even spot one at a drive-thru.

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