Two BYD offices in the Netherlands have been raided as part of an investigation into alleged copying of the Land Rover Defender by the Chinese carmaker.

As first reported by The Times (↗), court-appointed bailiffs acting for JLR seized digital records from BYD premises in Schiedam and Hoofddorp in August, seeking evidence that Defender tech had been reverse-engineered during development of the Ti7.

Sold in China under BYD’s Fangchengbao brand, the seven-seat plug-in hybrid has attracted comparisons with the Defender due to its upright, boxy styling. However, JLR’s concerns reportedly extend beyond styling similarities to the possible copying of underlying technology.

1

According to The Guardian (↗), BYD has challenged the seizure of its records, arguing too many files were taken. Its lawyers reportedly described the operation as a ‘fishing expedition’, while JLR’s advisers accused BYD of obstructing the process.

A court in The Hague is expected to rule this week on which seized records JLR can use in pursuing its case. Neither manufacturer has commented on the ongoing proceedings.

The Ti7 has received Australian government approval for local sale. Approval documents list two plug-in hybrid variants, producing 200kW in two-wheel-drive form and 300kW with all-wheel drive. BYD has yet to confirm local pricing or a launch date.

This isn’t the first time JLR has pursued a Chinese manufacturer over alleged vehicle copying. In 2019, it won a case against Jiangling Motor Corporation over the Landwind X7, which was found to infringe design rights associated with the Range Rover Evoque.

The outcome of the BYD dispute remains to be seen, with no finding of intellectual property infringement made at this stage.

MORE Defender news and reviews!