Mahindra is again trying to bring a Jeep look-a-like – the Thar – to Australia, but it may need to be redesigned to get past the US off-road giant’s lawyers.
EXCLUSIVE
Two years after Jeep was successful in a legal challenge to stop the copycat Mahindra Thar from coming to Australia, there are reportedly new attempts to bring the Indian off-roader to local showrooms.
However, the look-a-like four-wheel-drive may need to undergo some styling changes – and even then Mahindra could face another costly legal battle.
Sources close to Mahindra have told Drive a local launch of the Thar is back on the cards and the company is well progressed with its plans.
However, for the Thar to be sold in Australia, the small four-wheel-drive would need a major makeover to ensure it doesn’t infringe on the design of the iconic Jeep Wrangler.
Jeep took Mahindra to Federal Court over the Thar’s copycat design in 2021, claiming it looked too similar to the Wrangler.
Lawyers in Australia representing the Indian car company agreed the company would stop plans to sell the Thar locally at that point in time, ending the legal challenge.
However, Mahindra is now legally obligated to provide Jeep with “details of the appearance of the vehicle” before the Thar is able to go on sale in Australia. Drive understands there have been no designs submitted to Jeep Australia for its approval.
MORE: 2021 Mahindra Thar spotted testing in Australia
The 2023 Mahindra Thar introduced in India recently has the same fascia as before, suggesting any styling changes could be unique to the Australian market.
Despite the feud, both the Mahindra Thar and the Jeep Wrangler can trace their origins from the World War II-era Willys military vehicle.
It’s not the first time Jeep and Mahindra have been to court over design similarities.
In June 2020, Jeep successfully blocked the sale of the Mahindra Roxor in the US – an off-road buggy that shared more than a passing resemblance to the iconic Jeep CJ off-roader.
In overseas markets, Mahindra offers the four-wheel-drive version of the Thar with two engines: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder (112kW/320Nm), or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (97kW/320Nm).
A rear-wheel-drive model is also offered, with either the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, or a smaller 1.5-litre diesel (87kW).
MORE: Mahindra capitulates in Jeep court case in Australia, agrees to not import copycat 4WD
In its home market of India, all engines can be optioned with either a six-speed manual or six-speed torque-converter automatic.
Aimed at competing with the larger Jeep Wrangler and smaller Suzuki Jimny, in India the Mahindra Thar is available as a two-door with the option of a hardtop or soft-top.
According to Indian news outlet Motorbeam, Mahindra has been working on a five-door version of the Thar which will reportedly be unveiled this year.
Suzuki revealed a five-door version of the Jimny in mid January, with deliveries of the long-wheelbase model expected in Australian showrooms in the second half of 2023.
Suzuki is by far the most popular car brand in India, with a market share of 44 per cent according to Go Digit, while Mahindra has a market share of 9 per cent – sitting in fourth place on the leaderboard, ahead of Kia and Toyota.
While there are nine other models up against the Jimny in the SUV Light category in Australia, all are essentially high-riding hatchbacks – whereas the Suzuki is the only dedicated vehicle in the segment with a body-on-frame design and a low-range gearbox for off-roading.
MORE: Mahindra adopts Volkswagen electric car tech, could come to Australia
Representatives for Mahindra in Australia remain tight-lipped about the prospect of the Thar coming to Australia.
However, the company has previously stated it plans to expand its local model line-up, with the XUV700 and the Scorpio-N due to launch this year. Details are expected in the coming weeks.
The Scorpio-N appeared on a database managed by the Department of Infrastructure in November 2022, while documents for the XUV700 appeared in January 2023.
The two SUVs will join the Pik-Up ute, which is now in its 16th year of being on sale in Australia.
The post Jeepers! Mahindra Thar back on the cards for Australia appeared first on Drive.
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