In a recent development, Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) owned Fiat Chrysler suffered a setback in its attempt to prevent Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (NS:MAHM) from selling the revamped Roxor off-road vehicle in the U.S.
Fiat Chrysler had alleged that the Indian automaker copied the design of its Jeep, but the Eastern District Court of Michigan ruled in favor of Mahindra. As a result, Mahindra Automotive North America will be allowed to continue producing, selling, and distributing the post-2020 version of Roxor, as confirmed in an exchange filing made by the Mumbai-based company on Thursday.
The legal dispute originated from Fiat's claim that the Roxor is a “nearly identical copy” of the Jeep, citing specific design elements like its "boxy body shape with flat-appearing vertical sides and rear body ending at about the same height as the hood."
Mahindra contended that Roxor’s 2018 and 2019 models — subject to the legal action — were no longer in production and the 2020 version had a fresh look with further design changes planned.
Shares of STLA are down 0.92% in afternoon trading on Friday.