JLR Officially Accuses BYD of Trying to Rip Off the Defender
Don’t tell Jaguar Land Rover that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
The British automaker has accused BYD of intellectual property breaches, according to The Times of London. JLR alleges that the Chinese company’s upcoming off-roader, the Ti7 (pictured above), is more than just a rival to its popular Defender model; it views the car as a rip-off.
It’s not a complete surprise to see JLR take issue with the Ti7. Since BYD announced plans to release the SUV in the U.K. this past spring—it was previously released in China as a Fangchengbao model—many automotive observers have commented on its similarities to the Defender. In its coverage of the announcement, the website for the BBC’s Top Gear called it a “Chinese Defender clone.”
JLR thinks BYD reverse-engineered the Defender’s technology for use in the Ti7
Jaguar Land Rover
JLR appears to agree and decided, earlier this year, to take the matter to the courts. In August, court-ordered bailiffs raided BYD offices in the Netherlands and seized digital records, according to the British newspaper. JLR alleges that BYD stripped down a Defender and reverse-engineered some of its technology for use in the Ti7. The British maker reportedly wanted to secure potential corroborating evidence before it could be destroyed.
BYD, meanwhile, says it has done everything in its power to cooperate with JLR’s requests, which it has labeled as a “fishing expedition.” It also claims that too many files were taken during the summer raids.
The Times suggests that JLR has brought the case in the Netherlands because the country is viewed as being more favorable to claims of intellectual copyright theft. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for this week, in which it will be decided if the case is to move forward or not.
“JLR does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings,” a spokesperson for the automaker told Robb Report on Tuesday. BYD did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
The allegation comes as JLR faces pressure from another Chinese automaker, Jaecoo, and its new SUV, the 7. Dubbed the “Temu Range Rover,” it costs around $13,300 less than the actual Range Rover, according to The Guardian. The vehicle, which recently launched in the U.K., was the country’s bestselling car in October. The Ti7, meanwhile, will cost around $26,600 less than the Defender when it goes on sale in the U.K. in January.
