Jaguar Land Rover wins copycat SUV case against Jiangling
Tata Motors unit Jaguar Land Rover after three year court battle has won a legal case to prevent China car brand from selling a copycat vehicle.
In 2016 UK-based carmaker sued Jiangling Motors Corporation for its Landwind X7 sport utility vehicle, which the company claimed bore an extremely strong resemblance to the Range Rover Evoque.
Yesterday the Beijing Chaoyuang District Court ruled that five major features of the car were copies, and ordered Jaingling to cease production, sales and marketing of the vehicle. The ruling refers to the original Landwind X7 from 2014 rather than the more recent facelifted model which toned down some of the more blatant similarities, JLR said. The two SUV’s have a similar shape, with the roof and windows tapering from front to back and identical tail lights and character lines on the side panelling.
JLR had its patent on the shape of the Evoque cancelled in China in 2016 after a court ruled it was void because the company had patented it outside China first. It responded by suing Jiangling.
In addition, JLR is seeking Rmb1.5m (£170,000 or $223, 000) in costs and lost business. Jingling has 15 days to appeal against the decision.
Although several carmakers have complained about copying but the case is the first time that a Chinese Court has ruled in favour of an overseas manufacturer over a Chinese carmaker.
Landwind which sold 2746 cars in China in the first two months making it the 61st best-selling brand compared to Land Rover’s 59 position selling 3,342 .The X7 costs £14, 700 ( €17, 100) compared to £43, 000 (€50, 000) in China.