Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Mahindra Fights Back Against FCA's Complaint

      Deals with the Roxor Utility 


    Earlier this month, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission over the Mahindra Roxor - a side-by-side off-road utility. FCA alleges that the certain design elements of the Roxor infringe on the " intellectual property rights of FCA's Jeep design," and is wanting to stop the sale of the model in the U.S.

    Mahindra is fighting back. Reuters reports that the company has filed a public interest statement with the U.S. ITC and started proceedings in a Michigan court for an injunction into FCA's complaint.

    We are asking the court to block Fiat from participating in the ITC [International Trade Commission] claim -- an injunction -- because of the fact that they agreed in 2009 to never bring such claims if we use a grille that they approved. The Roxor uses that grille," Mahindra said in a statement. (Emphasis mine).

    "We are also arguing that Fiat is using the ITC case to harm our ROXOR business by creating negative publicity, damaging our reputation and our stature in the marketplace.”

    FCA in its complaint said that Roxor imports will hurt them as the model are underselling the Jeep Wrangler. A lot of this comes down to the Roxor being manufactured in India, and then shipping the model as a knock-down kit to their Detroit-area assembly plant for final assembly. Mahindra disputes this, saying the Roxor doesn't compete with the Wrangler as it's a side-by-side off-road utility.

    " We also demonstrated that the ROXOR is a vehicle that was always intended only as an off-road vehicle, does not compete with Fiat vehicles, is manufactured and assembled in the first OEM plant to be built in Michigan, USA, in the last 25 years, was the result of more than three years of research and development, and categorically rejected the notion that the ROXOR was an imported low quality “knock-off” kit car," the company said.

    Source: Reuters via Automotive News (Subscription Required), Mahindra


    Mumbai, August 29, 2018 – “A complaint was filed by FCA US, LLC (“Fiat”) with the United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”) against Mahindra which we believe is without merit. In response, we have taken a number of actions both within the ITC and in Federal District Court that we would like to share with you. Mahindra filed a Public Interest Statement with the ITC on August 22, 2018. This Statement expresses our position on this matter and explains how it is in the public interest for the ITC to rule against Fiat and in favor of Mahindra.

    Our goals on the public interest statement were two-fold. One was to state our position on the merits and the other was to correct inaccuracies regarding Mahindra as a company and the ROXOR as a product. We set the record straight on the history of Mahindra, including its U.S. operations. We also demonstrated that the ROXOR is a vehicle that was always intended only as an off-road vehicle, does not compete with Fiat vehicles, is manufactured and assembled in the first OEM plant to be built in Michigan, USA, in the last 25 years, was the result of more than three years of research and development, and categorically rejected the notion that the ROXOR was an imported low quality “knock-off” kit car.

    On August 23, 2018, Mahindra filed a complaint in Federal Court in Michigan on the issue of the applicability and enforcement of our 2009 agreement with Fiat. We are asking the court to block Fiat from participating in the ITC claim – an injunction – because of the fact that they agreed in 2009 to never bring such claims if we use a grille that they approved. The ROXOR uses that grille. We are also arguing that Fiat is using the ITC case to harm our ROXOR business by creating negative publicity, damaging our reputation and our stature in the marketplace.”

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    All of you assume that the Roxor will always be off-road and NEVER street legal.  Mahindra could modify the Roxor to be street legal and take on the Wrangler one day.  It may sound pedantic, but FCA is right to defend its trademarks against all comers.

    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    3 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

    All of you assume that the Roxor will always be off-road and NEVER street legal.  Mahindra could modify the Roxor to be street legal and take on the Wrangler one day.  It may sound pedantic, but FCA is right to defend its trademarks against all comers.

    I doubt if that could be made street legal...wouldn't pass US crash tests, emissions, etc.   True, though..no different than FCA suing a die cast maker selling unbranded Jeep toys.   

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    FCA is looking bad here, especially after the 2009 agreement.  Silly to think there is harm to FCA.  Think of how many Ram owners would put one of these on a trailer and go adventuring because it looks like an old Jeep... yet have enough sense to distinguish the two.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    3 hours ago, ocnblu said:

    FCA is looking bad here, especially after the 2009 agreement.  Silly to think there is harm to FCA.  Think of how many Ram owners would put one of these on a trailer and go adventuring because it looks like an old Jeep... yet have enough sense to distinguish the two.

    Maybe FCA can cut a licensing deal and Mahindra can badge it as a Jeep...it's basically an adult version of a Power Wheels Jeep. 

    unnamed-15.jpg

    • Haha 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Thinking on this, maybe the point of FCA lawsuit is they realize money is on the table due to the success of say Yamaha ATV's and people wanting a bit bigger. So creating an off road Jeep ATV that they sell for 15-20K dollars is a great idea, but late to the party when you have a 10K Mahindra already here.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Maybe if Jeep offered a Wrangler for 15-18k(where the Roxor is priced at) they'd have me on their side but the cheapest Wrangler is 28k. 

    I think I remembered reading yesterday that the Roxor has a 62hp/140tq engine matted to a 5spd manual only. Seems like it would be the perfect ranch vehicle. 

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Remember guys that Mahindra has a license to make it dating back to just after WW2 that and they're agreement of 2009. I haven't seen anything yet that shows me that Mahindra is in the wrong.

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    5 minutes ago, 67impss said:

    Remember guys that Mahindra has a license to make it dating back to just after WW2 that and they're agreement of 2009. I haven't seen anything yet that shows me that Mahindra is in the wrong.

    True, I think all would be fine had they kept it in the Indian market.  Selling it in the US is what is irritating FCA.

    • Like 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Irritating yes but without reading the license or agreement nor FCA bringing up any specific points I can't see Mahindra being so stupid as to break the license and agreement which is they're cash cow (no pun intended)

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • Those that cannot accept a multi-cultural world and immigration deserve to lose everything. I will stay professional, but believe that our North American Economy is about to get far worse over the long term than it is now. It is amazing how people do not seem to realize that the first two years of a new president is dealing with the ramifications of the last president. The high inflation was due to the failed policies of those before. We now have low unemployment and a strong economy. Will be interesting to see how it ends.
    • I say, let it get worse.  The people have spoken and this is what the MAJORITY voted for.  He even got the popular vote.  Therefore the people of America have spoken.   This is what they want.  This is what they feel comfortable with.   But I dont want to hear ANY whining from ANYBODY about what possibly may happen with him Him in power.  Fool me once,  shame on you!  Fool me twice, shame on me?   Technically this is how that saying goes.  But you never know. Maybe it really IS the lefty libtards that are the problem.   Hopefully it IS the lefty libtards that are the problem and the Messiah Trump will BE the solution to ALL of our problems.   I will be the first one to apologize if He actually does fix America's and Canada's problems.  And unite ALL of the world and the world gets to sing Kumbaya ALL in unison. Hopefully He is the next coming of Christ.   Keeping my fingers crossed but I aint holding my breath if you know what I mean.   
    • @oldshurst442 This pretty much sums up just how bad it is going to get. Trump's economic plans would worsen inflation, experts say | AP News
    • Not just iPhones... He tariffed Canadian wood the first time around as Pres and the prices of wood skyrocketed so American home builders bought American wood which was and is more expensive than Canadian wood.  I guess that is good for American wood producers. But for the fact that house prices also skyrocketed.  And considering that Canada and US have a more or less good trading thing going on...so not that good.  Not for the US and not good for Canada.  But Donald thinks otherwise. And all the folk that voted for him this time around think that the economy will get better?  I hope so for their sake. But Elon and Jeff B's billions rose quite a bit upon the announcement of his re-election.  I wonder if those  people that voted for him, I wonder if their wealth also rose instantly?    You poor bastards... You have no idea what is coming to you... (those that voted for him.  With the excemption of the rich of course)     Donnie Rides Again
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search