Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has launched legal proceedings against Chinese automotive giant BYD over allegations that its new Ti7 SUV infringes intellectual property rights associated with the Land Rover Defender.
Court-appointed bailiffs acting on behalf of JLR seized digital records from BYD offices in Schiedam and Hoofddorp in the Netherlands in August, according to an investigation published by The Sunday Times on November 8.
It reports that the British car maker suspects that BYD may have reverse-engineered elements of the Defender’s technology during development of the Ti7.
The seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV is already sold in China under BYD’s Fangchengbao brand and should hit UK showrooms in November ahead of customer deliveries beginning in January.
BYD challenges seizure of records
According to reporting by The Telegraph, lawyers representing both manufacturers appeared before a court in The Hague in October to dispute how the seized records could be used.
BYD’s representatives reportedly challenged the extent of the seizure, describing it as a “fishing expedition”, arguing that too many files had been taken.
The Dutch court is expected to rule this week on procedural questions surrounding the evidence and whether the proceedings can advance.
Ti7 targets premium SUV buyers
The legal dispute comes as BYD prepares to enter another part of the UK market traditionally dominated by established European manufacturers.
According to official pricing and specifications released by BYD UK, the model will start at £47,995 on the road – more than £20,000 below the £68,465 starting price for the seven-seat Defender 110, although specifications and equipment levels differ.
The Ti7 uses BYD’s DM-p plug-in hybrid powertrain, producing 408PS and offering a claimed electric-only range of up to 74 miles. Standard equipment includes a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, an 18-speaker audio system and a three-row seating configuration.
BYD is already accepting orders through its UK retail network, with a £500 manufacturer contribution available to customers placing a qualifying £500 pre-order deposit.
JLR previously won Chinese dispute
The latest proceedings follow JLR’s successful legal action against Chinese manufacturer Jiangling Motor Corporation over the Landwind X7, which closely resembled the first-generation Range Rover Evoque.
In 2019, a Chinese court ruled against Jiangling following a three-year dispute, resulting in restrictions on sales of the vehicle.
JLR however maintains a longstanding manufacturing partnership with Chery and has agreed to collaborate on the revival of the Freelander nameplate for a new generation of electrified vehicles.
Both JLR and BYD declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings when approached by AM.