Bailiffs acting on behalf of Jaguar Land Rover conducted a raid on BYD’s offices in the Netherlands in August, seizing digital records as part of an intellectual property dispute. The action preceded a court hearing in The Hague this week to determine whether the Chinese manufacturer’s Ti7 SUV violates JLR’s design and technology rights.
Motoring publications have drawn comparisons between BYD’s seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV and the Land Rover Defender since the vehicle entered the Chinese market in September of the previous year. BYD plans to introduce the model to the UK market in January at a starting price of £47,995, positioning it significantly below JLR’s seven-seat Defender 110, which begins at £68,465. Industry observers have noted the Ti7’s boxy design similarities to the Defender, with the BBC’s Top Gear magazine referring to it as a “Chinese Defender clone.” BYD describes the vehicle as featuring an intentionally angular profile that combines traditional SUV aesthetics with contemporary styling.
JLR suspects that BYD may have reverse-engineered technology incorporated into the Ti7, prompting the court-ordered seizure of records to prevent potential destruction of evidence. The raid reflects ongoing competitive tensions in the automotive sector, as the Defender remains among the UK’s best-selling vehicles, with JLR reporting strong retail performance figures.
This dispute represents another instance of JLR pursuing legal action against Chinese manufacturers over alleged design copying. The company previously won a three-year court battle against Jiangling Motor Corporation in 2019. However, JLR has also pursued collaborative strategies with some Chinese automakers, including a joint venture agreement with Chery established in 2012. Both BYD and JLR declined to comment on the ongoing proceedings.
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