Indian Mahindra & Mahindra abandoned plans to export the second generation of the Thar frame SUV in its current form. This decision was made due to a lawsuit by the Stellantis concern, which accused the Indians of copying the style of the Jeep Wrangler produced by them. The lawsuit was filed after Mahindra announced its SUV in the Australian market. Obviously, the Indian automaker did not see the opportunity to beat Stellantis' arguments in court and gave up early.
“We are seeing very strong demand for Thar in India, which is why we don't have immediate plans to sell it outside of India. It was pointless [on the part of Stellantis] to launch a lawsuit at this stage. When we decide to launch any of the Thar variants in Australia, we will notify Stellatnis 90 days in advance and take all steps to protect our rights to market and sell the product, ”The Economic Times quoted a Mahindra representative as saying.
It is specified that Stellantis decided to withdraw the lawsuit against Mahindra in Australia.
The Economic Times suggests that Mahindra will carry out a deep restyling of the Thara - so that consumers do not confuse it with the Wrangler.
Recall that in 2020, Mahindra lost in court to the Jeep-producing concern FIAT-Chrysler, which is now part of Stellantis. Then FIAT-Chrysler also accused the Indians of copying the design of the Wrangler, however, in a different model - the Roxor (a variation of the first generation Thar). As a result, Mahindra has suspended sales of the Roxor in the US and is now forced to develop a new design for it.
There is a nuance in the proceedings between Jeep and Mahindra that makes the claims of the Americans by no means indisputable. Both the Wrangler and Thar contain references to the classic Jeeps and Jeep CJs, but the Mahindra, like Jeep itself, has a legal claim to the styling since the previous generation Thar was an upgraded version of the early 1960s Jeep CJ-3Bs and the Indians made its many years under an official license purchased from Jeep. The new Thar is built from scratch based on Mahindra's own technologies.
Mahindra Thar second generation appeared in 2020. This is a frame two-door SUV with an open body, a cloth or plastic roof. It is offered with engines of 2.0 liters (petrol) and 2.2 liters (diesel). The first develops 150 hp, the second - 130 hp. The engines meet the strict Euro-6 environmental class and are combined with a six-speed mechanical gearbox of Mahindra's own design or a six-speed French-made Punch 6L50 hydromechanical “automatic”. The drive is full, part-time type. There is a reduction gear, a rear differential lock and an imitation of an interwheel lock with the help of brakes.
Mahindra cancels plans to export its Jeep Wrangler copy
