Audi has long been a name in four-wheel drive systems, with its iconic Quattro paving the way for all-wheel drive cars, rather than SUVs, in the market. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system is one of the best in the business. However, according to this new report, Jaguar Land Rover is claiming that Audi SUVs have been stealing its all-wheel drive technology.
Just last week, Jaguar Land Rover asked the U.S. Trade Agency to block the import of almost all Volkswagen Group SUVs, including the Audi Q5, Q7 and Q8, for using JLR’s patented Terrain Response System without permissions.
“JLR seeks to protect itself and its United States operations from companies that have injected infringing products into the U.S. market that incorporate, without any license from JLR, technology developed by JLR and protected by its patent,” said Mathew Moore, JLR’s lawyer from the firm Latham & Watkins.
At the moment, it’s unclear how JLR claims the VW used its Terrain Response System without permission. Is it something as simple as VW stealing software and/or copying code or does it go deeper than that? As of right now, we don’t have any further understanding of this dispute but it seems rather serious of JLR is going to the U.S. International Trade Agency to block the sale of these vehicles.
This also isn’t a good look for the VW Group, as it’s still feeling ripple effects of the infamous dieselgate scandal, from which there’s still a tarnished image. Another scandal would surely be devastating to the brand.
As of writing this, Volkswagen has declined to comment and we’ve reached out to Audi representatives but haven’t yet received a response. We’ll update this article as we get new information but, as of right now, all we know is that Jaguar Land Rover claims that the Audi Q5, Q7 and Q8 are using its Terrain Response System without permission.
[Source: Bloomberg]
The post Jaguar Land Rover Looks to Block Audi SUVs in U.S. for Stealing Terrain Response System appeared first on QuattroDaily.
