Jeep Wrangler copycat Mahindra Thar not coming to Australia

Following a protracted legal battle, Indian car-maker Mahindra has confirmed it will not bring the Jeep Wrangler copycat – the Thar – to Australia, despite trying to mount a new case to bring the off-roader here.

The on-again-off-again plans to bring the Mahindra Thar – a copycat of the Jeep Wrangler four-wheel-drive – is now officially off again.

After losing a legal battle with US car giant Jeep in Australia in 2021 over plans to introduce the Mahindra Thar locally, the Indian manufacturer told dealers it was still trying to find a way to bring the off-roader to local showrooms.

However those plans have now been ditched – again – if comments from representatives for Mahindra Australia are a guide.

“The Thar in its current form will not be coming into any international markets,” Joydeep Moitra, the regional head of Mahindra Automotive, told Australian media last week.

The executive was in Australia for the launch fo the new Mahindra Scorpio – the first new vehicle from the brand in a decade.

However, the high-ranking executive left the door open for a future rugged off-roader from Mahindra, but one which would not infringe on the design copyright of the Jeep Wrangler.

“We are working on a differently stylised car with a different value proposition, which is suitable for international markets,” said Mr Moitra.

Once that future model comes out, Mr Moitra indicated the Australian market will be under consideration.

MORE: THAR VS WRANGLER LEGAL BATTLE

As a condition of the legal action in 2021, Mahindra will need to seek approval of the design by Jeep in Australia, to ensure it does not too closely resemble the design of the Wrangler.

In the 1950s, Mahindra produced an adaptation of the US Army Willys Jeep under licence, to sell to the public.

That vehicle evolved over the decades to become the current-generation Thar now on sale in India.

However, the Mahindra Thar landed in a legal minefield because the licence was granted for the original Jeep – not its successors – and for India only, not international markets.

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