Mahindra Roxor (Willy's knock off)

[tdw28210]

I am not a "jeep guy" but always thought these were sort of cool. Looks like Fiat Chrysler will be quashing them shortly. I guess they are actually made in Michigan and Mahindra made Willy's in India under license back in the 50's and 60's.

https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/mahindra-fiat-case-mahindra-roxor-violates-fiat-chryslers-jeep-trade-dress-us-judge

[Dantilla]

Jeep imitation, but not street legal. Just an overgrown four-wheeler, that's too wide for many off-road trails.

Saw them as a fair last year, sales dude said they were working on getting them legal.
Until then, I don't see the point.

After (if) they gain DOT approval, just a lower-quality Jeep.
No thanks. I'll keep my Rubicon.

[wdfifteen]

On one hand I can see FCA not wanting Mahindra to copy the shape and design details of the iconic Jeep. On the other hand, in all these years no one has bothered to get a design patent and protect it. It's as if it wasn't that important to them until someone actually copied it. Seems unfair to Mahindra.

[Seahawk]

Friend of mine has one...difficult to make street legal. Roxor is essentially a UTV.

https://teamroxor.com/threads/getting-roxor-street-legal-or-not.892/

Great farm vehicle.

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

On one hand I can see FCA not wanting Mahindra to copy the shape and design details of the iconic Jeep. On the other hand, in all these years no one has bothered to get a design patent and protect it. It's as if it wasn't that important to them until someone actually copied it. Seems unfair to Mahindra.

Jeep has a long history of trademark disputes in China. They've been ripped off by the Chinese for years. Legal Basis for Chrysler Group’s Anti-dilution Protection on Its Well-known “JEEP” Trademark in China - Bridge IP Law Commentary

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by madcorgi

Jeep has a long history of trademark disputes in China. They've been ripped off by the Chinese for years. Legal Basis for Chrysler Group’s Anti-dilution Protection on Its Well-known “JEEP” Trademark in China - Bridge IP Law Commentary

FWIW, Mahindra is an Indian company - not Chinese.

[legion]

Bantam should really sue FCA for stealing their design.

[kach22i]

Sounds like a lot is on the line.

Older article, pre-lawsuit.

March 27, 2018
Mahindra ROXOR first look: A modern Willys CJ for your two-track of choice
https://autoweek.com/article/car-reviews/roxor-road-only

With the recently opened 400,000 sq ft facility spanning three buildings, the MANA headquarters and manufacturing center in Auburn Hill, MI is a serious investment in the North American market. Mahindra has already invested over $230 million and created 300 new jobs in Southeast Michigan, with an additional $600 million investment and 400 more jobs anticipated by 2020.

[HardDrive]

Mahindra is not a joke. My wife is Indian, I've spent lots of time in India. They're the next Huyndai.

Originally Posted by tdw28210

FWIW, Mahindra is an Indian company - not Chinese.

You are correct, sir. My bad. I put 2 + 2 together and somehow got 5.

[petrolhead611]

Mahindra sold road legal Jeepalikes in the UK back in the 70s or 80s, many fitted with Peugeot diesel engines. It was a very very crude but cheap, vehicle even then and they didn't sell well, especially against the similarly priced but less crude Lada Niva(and that was an effort to steer in a straight line on the road, rather like it was with the transverse leaf sprung Ford's of the 50s) .Don't forget that by the 70s European cars generally were rack and pinion steered and often all round independently sprung so we were already used to good road manners albeit in strictly on road cars.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Mahindra is not a joke. My wife is Indian, I've spent lots of time in India. They're the next Huyndai.

Their tractors are not slouches either, I'm told.