Fiat Chrysler Seeks to Block Mahindra Jeep Knock-Off in U.S.

(Bloomberg) -- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV filed a U.S. trade complaint seeking to prevent Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. from importing an off-road vehicle that looks similar to its iconic Jeep.

The Fiat Chrysler group filed the complaint on Aug. 1 at the U.S. International Trade Commission, claiming that the Mahindra Roxor infringes key characteristics of Jeep's signature trade dress -- namely the “boxy body shape with flat-appearing vertical sides and rear body ending at about the same height as the hood.”

“They are a nearly identical copy of the iconic Jeep design," Fiat Chrysler said in its complaint, which included photos comparing the Roxor to the Jeep. "In fact, the accused product was ‘modeled after the original Willys Jeep.'"

In 2017, Mumbai-based Mahindra, which claims to be India's largest sport utility vehicle manufacturer, opened headquarters in Southeast Michigan for its newly developed North American branch.

Mahindra said Fiat Chrysler's complaint is without merit. The companies have a long licensing relationship that goes back to the 1940s “with the original agreement with Willys and continues to this day,” it said, including a 2009 agreement with Chrysler Group LLC, a Fiat Chrysler predecessor.

‘Honor the Legacy'

“Our actions, products, and product distribution (including Roxor) both honor the legacy of the relationship and the terms of our agreements with FCA,” said Rich Ansell, a spokesman for Mahindra's North American unit. “Mahindra has been co-existing with FCA (and the Jeep brand) for over 25 years in India and in many other countries.”

Fiat Chrysler has also said that Roxor imports threaten it with substantial injury as they are underselling Jeeps on price. Mahindra capitalizes on the cost advantages of manufacturing their products in India and then importing knocked-down kits to the U.S., where they're assembled in the Detroit area.

Fiat Chrysler has become increasingly reliant on its Jeep product line. On Wednesday, the company reported its highest ever July sales for Jeep brand vehicles, up 16 percent, to power the company's overall 5.9 percent jump from a year ago.

Mahindra announced plans in November to invest $600 million in its Roxor manufacturing facility. The Michigan unit tripled its workforce and by 2020, the group plans to employ as many as 670 workers there. Fiat Chrysler's complaint pointed to Mahindra's “substantial foreign manufacturing capacity combined with its demonstrated intention to penetrate the United States market and harm FCA's goodwill and business.”

The case is In the Matter of Certain Motorized Vehicles and Components Thereof, Complaint No. 3330, U.S. International Trade Commission (Washington)

To contact the reporter on this story: Mehr Nadeem in New York at mnadeem10@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jon Morgan at jmorgan97@bloomberg.net, Ros Krasny, Laurie Asséo

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