Mahindra BE 6e renamed to BE 6, they will contest the right to use the name
Mahindra has announced a temporary name change for its BE 6e electric SUV to BE 6, as it prepares to contest a trademark dispute in court. The disagreement arises from objections raised by IndiGo Airlines over the use of the “6e” suffix. Mahindra, however, is confident in its legal standing and plans to challenge the issue, citing fundamental differences in the trademarks and their respective classifications.
Temporary Renaming
The BE 6e, priced from Rs. 18.90 lakhs (ex-showroom, India), was recently revealed as Mahindra’s latest entry in the electric SUV market. While the nameplate has been temporarily shortened to BE 6, Mahindra has cited multiple reasons for contesting the objections in court. The company has clarified that its trademark for “BE 6e” is registered under Class 12, specific to automobiles, while IndiGo’s “6E” is classified under a separate category related to aviation.
Mahindra Defends Its Position
Mahindra emphasises that the trademarks in question are distinct, with “BE 6e” being a composite mark and not a standalone use of “6E.” The company also finds IndiGo’s objections inconsistent with past actions, pointing to a similar case from 2005 when Tata Motors had raised concerns about IndiGo’s airline branding conflicting with its Indigo sedan. Despite these concerns, IndiGo retained its branding without issue.
Key Details of the Mahindra BE 6
The BE 6 electric SUV is positioned as a rival to the Tata Curvv EV and the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV. It features two battery pack options—59kWh and 79kWh—delivering a MIDC-certified range of 556 km and 682 km, respectively. The BE 6 is set to hit the market by late February or early March 2025, with a complete pricing announcement expected in January.
Ongoing Legal Battle
The trademark dispute is now poised to be resolved in court, where Mahindra will seek to defend its rights to the BE 6e name. Until then, the electric SUV will carry the BE 6 nameplate. Mahindra’s move highlights the complexity of trademark disputes, especially when they involve industries as diverse as automotive and aviation.
