British-based luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has sued Chinese automaker Jiangling Motor for allegedly imitating its Range Rover Evoque.

Jiangling Motor's Landwind X7 SUV, which was launched in November 2014, had received lots of flak in the Chinese media for its striking resemblance to Jaguar's Range Rover Evoque. Landwind X7 SUV's front and rear styling are said to look very similar to the Evoque, including its  taillight and headlights. Evoque was Jaguar's first made in China model and hit the market before the Landwind X7 SUV was unveiled.

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According to Reuters, a local court in Beijing's Chaoyang district has issued "newly filed actions" against Jiangling Motor in the copyright infringement case.

Both companies are reportedly discussing what design features can or cannot be added in the updated X7 model, according to a source familiar with the matter.      

Jaguar Land Rover's decision to sue Jiangling Motor is a rare move by a foreign automaker in world's largest auto market. Despite blatant copying across the car industry, most foreign car companies shy away from taking legal action against local companies as the odds of winning a case against a local firm is apparently very low.

There is also a perception among foreign car companies that taking on a local company to court may damage their reputation among Chinese consumers, eventually affecting their fortunes in the country.

Experts have noted that if Jaguar wins the case, it will set a precedence. Depending on the outcome of the case, any say other foreign automakers are likely to also legally challenge Chinese car companies for stealing their designs.

Tagsjaguar land rover, Range Rover Evoque, Jiangling Motor, Landwind X7 SUV