Great Wall says Fiat claim dismissed in China
MILAN, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Great Wall Motor Co Ltd (2333.HK) said a Chinese court has dismissed in a final ruling a claim by Italy's Fiat (FIA.MI) alleging infringement of a Fiat patent by the Chinese car maker.
The Hebei Province People's High Court dismissed on Dec. 29 a Fiat appeal alleging that Great Wall's GWPeri compact car was an infringement of its patent, upholding a July ruling by the Shijiazhuang Intermediate People's Court, Great Wall said in a statement on Monday.
"The judgment is final and conclusive and no further appeal may be lodged on the subject dispute in the PRC (People's Republic of China)," it said.
Fiat declined to comment.
In July an Italian court banned Great Wall from selling the GWPeri compact car in the European Union, saying the car too closely resembled Fiat's Panda.
In Monday's statement Great Wall said a further announcement would be made on developments in the dispute proceedings in Italy. (Reporting by Danilo Masoni; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
