JLR has taken legal action against BYD, accusing the Chinese carmaker of using a Land Rover Defender to study its design and technology while developing the BYD Ti7 SUV. A court in The Hague, Netherlands, is expected to issue a preliminary ruling on the case.
The dispute follows searches at BYD offices in Schiedam and Hoofddorp earlier this year. During the searches, officials seized digital records that could help establish whether BYD examined a Defender and used JLR’s protected technical information.
BYD’s lawyers have questioned the searches, arguing that too many files were taken. The company has also said it cooperated with JLR’s requests for information. Both automakers have declined to comment on the case.
BYD Ti7 and Land Rover Defender
The BYD Ti7 is a large SUV with a boxy design and upright stance, which has drawn comparisons with the Defender. However, JLR’s complaint is not just about how the two vehicles look. It also involves claims of technology and design copying.
Key details of the BYD Ti7 include:
- Length: 5,146 mm
- Seating capacity: Up to seven
- China launch: September 2025
- UK starting price: £47,995 (₹59,82,283)
- UK deliveries: Expected from January 2027
The Ti7 is priced more than £20,000 (₹24,92,878) below the Defender in the UK.
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Final Take
The case could become an important one for the automotive industry, as carmakers look to protect their designs and technology from being copied by competitors.
