Mahindra Thar is the most popular and successful lifestyle off-roader in India and Mahindra has been trying to sell it in international markets as well.
Fiat Group has filed multiple lawsuits against Mahindra Thar and Roxor in various international markets. Stellantis is the Italian-American conglomerate that owns the FCA Group including Fiat, Jeep, and Chrysler among others. Therefore, products like the Jeep Wrangler now belong to this group and it has been filing cases against Mahindra in markets where Thar or Roxor are being sold or Mahindra is planning to sell. America is a prime example of it where Mahindra has even lost the case a couple of years ago.
You may also like: When Anand Mahindra Chose Roxor Over Other Mahindra SUVs
Fiat Group Files Lawsuits Against Mahindra Thar & Roxor
The prime concern of Jeep is the fact that products like Mahindra Thar offer a similar exterior (especially front fascia) to the customers compared to the Jeep Wrangler. As a result, the customers get confused which ends up putting a dent in the sales of the Jeep Wrangler. Now, this is quite bizarre since the Wrangler costs almost 5 times as a Mahindra Thar. Also, the interior, features, off-roading tech and powertrains are completely different on the two. Wrangler definitely features in the high-end premium market while Mahindra caters to consumers looking for an affordable lifestyle off-roader.
You may also like: Mahindra Thar Goes Drifting, Easily Topples Over
This video has been shared by Biturbo Media on YouTube where the host deep-dives into the specifics of these international cases against Mahindra. In the USA, after the ban on sales of the Roxor, Mahindra redesigned the front end after which the sales resumed. But the 6th Circuit Court further told Mahindra that the design still doesn’t keep a “safe distance” from Jeep designs. Apart from that, Mahindra plans to sell the Thar in Australia too and a few spy images of the test mule were circulated online. Jeep filed a case in Australia as well citing the same reason. Mahindra was asked to notify Stellantis 90 days prior to the launch.
You may also like: Mahindra Thar Owner Uses Vodka For Wiper Fluid – VIDEO
In India, however, Mahindra had been given the license by Jeep to make and sell SUVs with this design decades ago. That is why there can be no cases against Mahindra here. But in order to sell the Thar in the international markets, Mahindra needs to chalk out an efficient strategy to dodge these lawsuits and establish its dominance with capable and legendary products like the Thar. Let us see how the Indian auto giant is able to achieve that in times to come.
You may also like: Mahindra Thar 5-Door Spied in Himachal Pradesh
You may also like: Sidhu Moosewala’s Mahindra Thar Gets Restored – VIDEO
Disclaimer- The embedded videos/ external content is/are being used as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or approval by Car Blog India of any of the products, services, and /or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. Car Blog India bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, and/or content of the external site or for that of subsequent external videos/ external content. Contact the external publisher for answers to questions regarding its content.
