The carmaker behind the Jeep off roader has lost its bid to stop an Indian rival from selling its soft-topped four-wheel drive over claims it is a knock-off version.

Mahindra & Mahindra will be allowed to continue selling the new version of its Roxor vehicle after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles lost a court battle in the US.

Fiat Chrysler, which makes the Jeep, had complained that the Roxor was a “nearly identical copy” with the same boxy body shape and clearance height.

Fiat Chrysler is owned by Stellantis, which also owns Vauxhall, and operates as a separate division in the US.