Indian automakers Hero Electric and Hero MotoCorp are fighting the case in court. The two brands have reportedly clashed over the use of the Hero brand for the electric vehicle (EV) business.
Vijay Munjal and his son Navin Munjal own Hero Hero, the country's largest electric two-wheeler company. The company has been in the EV business for over 15 years.
The owners of Hero Electric have filed a case in the Delhi High Court against Pawan Munjal, the promoter and chairman of Hero MotoCorp. There is a legal battle over the use of the Hero brand, as Hero MotoCorp plans to use the Hero brand name for its upcoming EV range. Hero MotoCorp plans to launch its EV range in March this year, according to a news report from Carandbike.com. Hero Electric, meanwhile, is seeking legal redress for its alleged use of the Hero brand name.
Hero MotoCorp is said to be able to enter the electric two-wheeler segment with the Bhida sub-brand. The company is preparing to use the Hero brand name for its electric two-wheelers, which has made Hero Electric a concern. Pawan Munjal was given Hero MotoCorp in 2010 under a family agreement. However, he is not allowed to use the brand name 'Hero' for any electric two, three or four wheeler.
According to the agreement, the global rights of Hero Electric are with Pawan Munjal's uncle Vinay Munjal and his son Navin Munjal. Hero Electric has a 36 percent market share in the Indian electric two-wheeler segment. It sold more than 65,000 electric two-wheelers last year.
It is said that Hero Electric owns the rights of Hero brand electric vehicles. Hero MotoCorp cannot use the 'Hero' brand name for any EV business. There was no immediate comment from Hero Electric or Hero MotoCorp. A spokesman for Hero MotoCorp said the matter was under consideration. Hero Electric also declined to comment.