---
title: "Jeep Wants to Stop Mahindra From Selling This Wrangler Lookalike"
description: "It's not the first time these two companies have gone head to head over copyright infringement, and the latest battleground is Australia."
date: "2021-05-15"
modified: "2021-05-15"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin V. Shaw"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kristin-shaw"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/40629/jeep-wants-to-stop-mahindra-from-selling-this-wrangler-lookalike"
categories:
  - "Jeep News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Jeep"
  - "Off-Road"
  - "suv/crossover"
  - "Wrangler"
---

# Jeep Wants to Stop Mahindra From Selling This Wrangler Lookalike

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/05/Mahindra-HERO.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Unless, of course, you’re [blatantly copying someone else’s successful design](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/38405/2021-mahindra-roxor-off-roader-doesnt-rip-off-jeep-can-be-sold-in-us-ruling>) for profit. For instance, Indian automaker Mahindra has a [Jeep](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/40320/2021-jeep-wrangler-4xe-review-the-perfect-one-car-garage-for-off-roaders>) lookalike, Thar, which is cleared for sale in India. It’s not, however, approved for sale in other countries, and Jeep is hoping to stop the sale of the Thar in Australia, according to [CarAdvice.com](<https://www.caradvice.com.au/951759/legal-dispute-between-jeep-and-mahindra-heats-up-in-australia/>).

Back in the 1940s, Mahindra licensed the Willys CJ to build for the Indian market. When the nearly $20 billion conglomerate [attempted to sell the similar Roxor in America](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/38405/2021-mahindra-roxor-off-roader-doesnt-rip-off-jeep-can-be-sold-in-us-ruling>) in 2019, a US-based judge found Mahindra guilty of trademark infringement. The Indian corporation went back to the design team, scrambled a few elements, called it a UTV, and won the right to sell it here. The Jeep team was undoubtedly widely dissatisfied with that decision, but their hands were tied by the courts.

![message-editor%2F1621111451141-mahindra4.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1621111451141-mahindra4.jpg>)
**Mahindra**

Now Jeep is [battling with Mahindra](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/34061/jeep-wins-in-legal-fight-over-mahindra-roxor>) about an apparent intention to sell the Thar, which also looks a whole lot like the iconic 4x4. Not only does it have the same boxy shape as the CJ, it features a grille with a familiar-looking seven slots.

Aside from the copycat Wrangler looks, the performance options are very different. The Mahindra Thar is available with a 130-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine or a 150-horsepower 2.2-liter diesel, while a new Jeep Wrangler comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generating 270 hp. You can also get a Jeep Wrangler with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic (Mahindra's is a six-speed automatic) and can opt for a V6, V8, and now a [Jeep 4xe hybrid](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/40320/2021-jeep-wrangler-4xe-review-the-perfect-one-car-garage-for-off-roaders>).

![message-editor%2F1621115350037-mahindrainline.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1621115350037-mahindrainline.jpg>)
**Mahindra**

According to the Australia-based [CarAdvice.com](<https://www.caradvice.com.au/951759/legal-dispute-between-jeep-and-mahindra-heats-up-in-australia/>) site, “legal representatives for Jeep are seeking an assurance from Mahindra that it will provide written notice of any plans to introduce a Jeep Wrangler-like four-wheel-drive at least 90 days before the commencement of the vehicle certification or homologation process. However, the legal representative for Mahindra told the court his client proposes a 45-day notice period.”

Jeep’s concern is that a shorter notice period will result in a faster push for certification. It has since been removed from the Mahindra site, but a recent promotion seemed to indicate the Thar is being primed for sale in Australia.

A quick perusal of the [Mahindra Automotive site](<https://auto.mahindra.com/suv#>) reveals a line of SUVs that appear to be tributes to a number of other manufacturer models. It’s kind of like looking at a pair of knockoff designer jeans and knowing something is familiar but not quite right. I reached out to Jeep to see if they have more to say on the matter, and if they do I'll keep you updated.

*Got a tip? Send the writer a note: kristin.shaw@thedrive.com*

## Author
Kristin Shaw is the former Weekend Editor for The Drive and a current freelancer in both the automotive and aviation worlds. She’s a big fan of anything car-related and calls on her technology background on the corporate side to explain engineering and high-tech concepts. Now living in her sixth state (New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and now Texas), she is thrilled that working from home is now mainstream.

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