Great Wall case dismissed

CHINESE manufacturer Great Wall Motor (GWM) has told the Reuters agency this week that the Shijiazhuang Intermediate People's Court in China had dismissed Fiat Auto's claim that GWM's Peri small car was too similar to the Fiat Panda and an infringement on the Italian marque's patent.

According to the report, GWM said Fiat was ordered to pay court fees.

The Chinese car-maker said the judgement should not cause any material adverse effect, nor would the Italian court order handed down earlier this month which barred it from selling the Peri in the European Union.

GWM is preparing to appeal the Italian court decision.

The Peri is due to be launched in Australia early next year through Ateco Automotive, which is also the importer of Fiat cars.

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