Ford has filed suit against a firm that rebodies new Broncos with vintage sheet metal. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing. Today’s headlines: + Northvolt, the Swedish maker of battery cells for the electric … Continue reading →
www.macsmotorcitygarage.com
Seems these Woketard CEOs are OBSESSED with STAMPING OUT the history that past owners so love. It's not enough that they won't make useful or beloved cars that once were for sale; they won't allow anyone else to recall them, either.
Mahindra & Mahindra, an Indian tractor maker, licensed the Willys Jeep for local manufacture for 45 years....from its first civilian appearance, 1945, to the early 1990s. With Chrysler's purchase of the Jeep trademarks, Mahindra no longer could license Jeep designs, but had legacy models, with somewhat-different trade dress (grille, etc) and specifications.
Daimler and Fiat were having none of it. Mahindra carried on, within India, under the radar, using their own engines and drivelines.
THEN. Mahindra phased out their CJ-based model, no longer saleable in India, for new-to-them safety standards. What to do? Someone hit on a plan...form a new subsidiary, Roxor, and set up a plant in the USA to make it. Not as a road-going vehicle, but as an off-road four-wheeler, like a Gator.
And it came to pass. For two years, until FCA got a platoon of lawyers who venue-shopped until they got an injunction to cease and desist.
It was too bad...my Yamaha dealer (I own a Yamaha) had a Roxor dealership, and had four of them. They were an interesting blend of Kaiser CJ5 (short hood) and AMC CJ-7 (longer J-shaped door opening) on a unique wheelbase. The dashboard was pure 1955 Willys. The engine was a small off-road diesel (no DEF). And at least a couple were sold locally...got the little plates that are required for trail use, and were driving them around town.
It was such a good idea, Roxor got stamped into a coma. I believe they are still existing, but I haven't seen ANY for sale in five years.
This is the Woke, Cronyist way. WE will tell YOU what kind of product you can have! Because we're ENLIGHTENED, and KNOW BETTER!