Car manufacturers have long battled over patents, designs, and brand names.
Big companies guard their trademarks fiercely, especially when competitors seem to step too close.
Now, BMW is once again taking legal action against the Chinese car brand BYD, claiming that the company is using a model name that belongs to them, according to Boosted.
This time, the dispute is happening in Indonesia. BMW accuses BYD of using the model name M6 without permission.
The German automaker holds the rights to that name and believes BYD's use of it could mislead potential buyers.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed in the Central Jakarta Commercial Court on February 26, 2025, BMW argues that consumers might mistake BYD’s M6 for a BMW model.
They claim this could create confusion about the car’s authenticity and quality. It remains unclear when the case will proceed in court.
This is not the first time BYD has been accused of copying established car brands.
Between 2003 and 2007, BYD used a logo that closely resembled BMW’s famous roundel with a propeller design. The similarities were striking and led to criticism from the automotive industry.
During the same period, BYD also drew inspiration from Mercedes-Benz.
One of the most obvious examples was the BYD S8, a convertible showcased at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2006. Its design bore a strong resemblance to Mercedes’ styling.
BYD didn’t stop there. The brand’s website in 2006 featured vehicles that looked like copies of models from Toyota, Daihatsu, Honda, Buick, Subaru, and BMW.
The company’s design choices have been controversial for years, raising questions about originality and intellectual property rights.
Despite its global expansion, the company has yet to gain a strong foothold in certain European markets.
As the lawsuit unfolds, BMW is determined to protect its brand identity. Whether the court will side with them remains to be seen.
