Mitsubishi has used case law to block a UK company from distributing grey import versions of its models in the European Economic Area.

It has used a precedent set in a Levi Strauss vs Tesco case from 2001. This enabled Mitsubishi to gain an injunction under trademark laws to stop PFK Trading from collecting certain Mitsubishi L200 pick-up trucks from Southampton Docks.

Mitsubishi’s injunction is on the grounds that those trade-marked vehicles have been imported and will enter the new car market without consent of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.

The L200 is Mitsubishi’s biggest seller in the UK, achieving around 30,000 sales per year.

The company says it took action out of concern for its customers, as the Thai-sourced grey imports have a different specification to its UK L200s and won’t have the full three-year warranty.