Recent USPTO filings. Speculation is fun!

[VarianceVQ]

USPTO trademark filings aren't always a guarantee that something will see production but there are those trademarks that are more production-plausible than others. The registration process goes: filed -> published for opposition -> registered. The further along in the process, the more likely it will see production. I've listed those recent filings which are possible to speculate about and have a somewhat realistic chance of being used for an actual production effort.

Compiled list of trademarks as of 3/22/2012:

(New info in bold red text.)



---

Nissan:

- (Infiniti) I25. Revival of the FWD Infiniti nameplate. Possibly the production Etherea. [filed]
- (Infiniti) M25. New entry-level M with the same V6 powering the G25. Makes perfect sense to compete with the 528i and A6 2.0T. [published for opposition]

Toyota:

- (Lexus) ES300h. A hybrid ES. What the hell look them so long? [published for opposition]

GM:

- Holden. Yep, the Australian brand. Hmm. [filed]

Ford:

-B-Max. The plus-sized Fiesta coming to America? [published for opposition]

-Mondeo. "Fusion" reborn? [published for opposition]

Chrysler:

-(Dodge) [model] Lux. "Lux" is actually a (likely top-end) trim level attached to several Dodge vehicles -- the Grand Caravan, Avenger and even the Caliber. [published for opposition]

-(Chrysler) EcoVoyager. Nothing to do with the dead Plymouth minivan. The EcoVoyager was a fuel-cell hybrid concept shown at the 2008 NAIAS. [registered]

-Scamp. Another dead Plymouth nameplate. "Scamp" previously existed in two forms: a small, RWD coupe and a small, FWD truck. I wonder which one TCL will hope this iteration will be... [registered]

Daimler (Mercedes-Benz):

There are several new "classes" that Benz has published for opposition. I'll leave to you guys to decide what is plausible and what isn't. Who knows with this company.

-GLB-Class.
-SLB-Class.
-RLC-Class.
-MLR-Class.
-GLC (school in summertime).

[curvedinfinity]

This would be a cool thread to update from time to time. I'd look forward to a small FWD Infiniti. That's pretty cool.

[VarianceVQ]

There's stuff from Fiat, too:

-Alfa Romeo Milano. [published for opposition]
-Alfa GTA. [registered]
-Speedgear. [registered]
-Veloce. [registered]
-Cuore Sportivo. [registered]

[VarianceVQ]

General Motors:

-Jive. It sounds like it would go on some sort of small vehicle to me. [filed on 3/24]

Chrysler:

-Imported from Toledo. Another ad campaign in the works? This might be more localized. [filed on 3/23]

[synthsis]

Daimler (Mercedes-Benz):

There are several new "classes" that Benz has published for opposition. I'll leave to you guys to decide what is plausible and what isn't. Who knows with this company.

-GLB-Class.
-SLB-Class.
-RLC-Class.
-MLR-Class.
-GLC (school in summertime).

MB is out of control with the number of classes they have.

C, E, SLK, SL, CL, S, ML, GL, CLS, R, GLK, G, SLS.

[bzcat]

General Motors:

-Jive. It sounds like it would go on some sort of small vehicle to me. [filed on 3/24]

Chrysler:

-Imported from Toledo. Another ad campaign in the works? This might be more localized. [filed on 3/23]

I guess they may be planning a Jeep campaign with Toledo

Doesn't really have the same ring as Imported from Detroit though.

[nickthaskater]

Imported from Toledo was a local dealer advertising campaign that Chrysler didn't like as they felt it cheapened the Imported from Detroit slogan, so they've taken it for themselves so the dealer can't use it again.

[Dr. Woo]

Crossing my fingers for a "Turkey" trim level for this upcoming Jive.

[nickthaskater]

Crossing my fingers for a "Turkey" trim level for this upcoming Jive.

Bazinga. Would buy for the badge alone

[VarianceVQ]

Nissan:

-I37. If the "I" revival really is for a FWD vehicle like I'm assuming, this will be the first application of the VQ37 in a FWD package. That said, it could be AWD. [filed 3/29]

[VarianceVQ]

Acura is getting the ax. Or rather the AX:

-Acura AX Series; (Acura) AX2, AX4, AX6. Haven't a clue on this one. Only know it's for a line of vehicles.

[duke of chucchinchilla]

-Mondeo. "Fusion" reborn? [published for opposition]

Mulally is the man who brought back the Taurus because of name recognition. The name Ford Fusion has a lot of name awareness already so I doubt they'd pull a name switch but I could be wrong. To think about it another way, The Mondeo competes with more premium cars in Europe so perhaps it'll come over here as the Lincoln Mondeo? I don't think that would be such a bad thing...

[Professor Gascan]

Acura is getting the ax. Or rather the AX:

-Acura AX Series; (Acura) AX2, AX4, AX6. Haven't a clue on this one. Only know it's for a line of vehicles.

Probably the sub-TSX car that they're going to preview in New York.

[VarianceVQ]

An image published for opposition on 4/19. (I CAN SEE THE FUTURE.)

Toyota:



For -- "Land vehicle parts, namely, forged alloy wheels, lowering springs, and sway bars; automotive body kits comprising external structural parts of automobiles, namely, front, rear, and side valances."

Probably for Scion.

[VarianceVQ]

Mulally is the man who brought back the Taurus because of name recognition. The name Ford Fusion has a lot of name awareness already so I doubt they'd pull a name switch but I could be wrong. To think about it another way, The Mondeo competes with more premium cars in Europe so perhaps it'll come over here as the Lincoln Mondeo? I don't think that would be such a bad thing...

Considering the "One Ford" mantra in the company now and the next Mondeo being a world car, I think a name change is likely. It would also make it so that the USDM Fusion and the overseas Fusion are no longer two completely different products.

[curvedinfinity]

[VarianceVQ]

GM:

-Strobe. [published]

-Scottsdale. Some of you might remember this as a trim level on '80s-era Chevy trucks. (How high- or low-end the trim was, I don't know.) [published]

Chrysler:

THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

The following marks are set to be published and have this description: Motor vehicles, namely, passenger automobiles, their structural parts, trim and badges.

-Red blooded American.

-Life is best when driven.

THAT WAS NOT A JOKE.

Really, Chrysler?

[curvedinfinity]

-Red blooded American.

Cadillac just did an ad titled "Red Blooded Luxury" ... weird that Chrysler is doing the same thing.

[bzcat]

Considering the "One Ford" mantra in the company now and the next Mondeo being a world car, I think a name change is likely. It would also make it so that the USDM Fusion and the overseas Fusion are no longer two completely different products.

There will be no name change. Fusion will retain its name in the Americas (it is sold in South America as well).

The European Fusion is being replaced by B-Max so there will only be one Ford with the Fusion name.

[a2a4raddo]

interesting list.

[abcdennis]

i agree about the ridiculous mercedes names. they need to relax. and GM with the jive and strobe? why are so many american car companies using these corny names? it's not just them, but they're on the forefront of it. it's like they rely on renaming new generation cars to redeem themselves or something.

[Turbio!]

Mulally is the man who brought back the Taurus because of name recognition. The name Ford Fusion has a lot of name awareness already so I doubt they'd pull a name switch but I could be wrong. To think about it another way, The Mondeo competes with more premium cars in Europe so perhaps it'll come over here as the Lincoln Mondeo? I don't think that would be such a bad thing...

Copyright law and patents are a weird business. If you don't actively legally defend your copyright against all possible infringements, you lose control of it - that's why Ford had to sue Ferrari for the F150 Italia. The law as written put their claim on "F-150" in question if they didn't challenge Ferrari.

So my feeling is that it'd be a mistake to read a lot into them patenting the word Mondeo. It's probably ass-covering, not a new model.

Also, the Mondeo will be the Fusion; there will be only superficial differences, like sidemarkers and trim levels.

[Fritz27]

I wonder if the ES300h is going to use the same 4-cylinder as the Prius? Seems like it would be a good opportunity to use the V6+HSD from the RX450h, but perhaps it's going for the best MPG in a luxury car crown.

[Mosbius Designs]

General Motors:

-Jive. It sounds like it would go on some sort of small vehicle to me. [filed on 3/24]

[bzcat]

I wonder if the ES300h is going to use the same 4-cylinder as the Prius? Seems like it would be a good opportunity to use the V6+HSD from the RX450h, but perhaps it's going for the best MPG in a luxury car crown.

Why would Toyota reinvent the wheel? ES300h will be using Camry hybrid's drivetrain which means 2.4 I4 plus batteries. This is also consistent with Lexus' habit of mis-naming its hybrids with an implied larger engine than the base gasoline model, which in this case is the ES240.

Also, it will be hard to top Lincoln MKZ's grip on the luxury car MPG crown as MKZ hybrid already get better MPG than the Camry.

[VarianceVQ]

Also, it will be hard to top Lincoln MKZ's grip on the luxury car MPG crown as MKZ hybrid already get better MPG than the Camry.

The Lexus CT200h already beats it: 43/40. The MKZH gets 41/36.

[VarianceVQ]

Fiat:

-Duetto. [to be published 5/3]

Volkswagen:

-Microbus. Might really be happening this time. [filed 4/14]

-Das WeltAuto. [published 4/12]



This can explain it better than I. It's the name of a program VW has been running in Germany since June: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/vw...uto-19456.html

[a2a4raddo]

The Lexus CT200h already beats it: 43/40. The MKZH gets 41/36.

audi has the crown for Highway. A3 TDi: 30/42

[Fritz27]

Why would Toyota reinvent the wheel? ES300h will be using Camry hybrid's drivetrain which means 2.4 I4 plus batteries. This is also consistent with Lexus' habit of mis-naming its hybrids with an implied larger engine than the base gasoline model, which in this case is the ES240.

Also, it will be hard to top Lincoln MKZ's grip on the luxury car MPG crown as MKZ hybrid already get better MPG than the Camry.

I meant the Camry, not sure why I typed Prius. Oops.

Anyway, I'm wondering if the ES might receive additional improvements/refinements that would give it a bump in (FE) performance over the Camry.

Furthermore, when is someone gonna sack up and make a luxury plug-in hybrid that's not the Fisker?

[VarianceVQ]

An image published for opposition on 4/19. (I CAN SEE THE FUTURE.)

Toyota:



For -- "Land vehicle parts, namely, forged alloy wheels, lowering springs, and sway bars; automotive body kits comprising external structural parts of automobiles, namely, front, rear, and side valances."


Probably for Scion.

A bit of expansion on this. The entirety of what the "P" stands for is now apparent via another published image:

[VarianceVQ]

GM:

-Boot. [filed 4/29]

Chrysler:

-Guts. Glory. Ram. [filed 5/4]

Now, like the last two Chrysler trademarks I posted this is listed as being applied to trims and bages but I'm becoming skeptical that that is really what they are for. These all sound like advertising copy.

Audi:

-Audi Energy Assist. [filed 4/13]

Listed for:

IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Electric motors, electric motor vehicle batteries, power electronics, battery management, engine control units, charge contact connectors, charging cables

IC 012. US 019 021 023 031 035 044. G & S: Vehicles, namely automobiles, sports utility vehicles, sport cars, vans, pick-up trucks, estate cars, racing cars, engines for land vehicles and their structural parts

IC 037. US 100 103 106. G & S: Repair and maintenance of vehicles and parts thereof; repair and maintenance of vehicle engines and parts thereof

-Daimler (Mercedes-Benz):

-X-Class. [filed 4/26]

Yes, yet another Class. This one is either for an SUV or a van.

-Park2Gether. [filed 4/28]

IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Telecommunication services by means of internet platforms and portals

IC 039. US 100 105. G & S: Parking place services; services relating to the control and administration of parking systems, namely, traffic information services, particularly through the use of computer-supported communication systems

[AZGolf]

Imported from Toledo was a local dealer advertising campaign that Chrysler didn't like as they felt it cheapened the Imported from Detroit slogan, so they've taken it for themselves so the dealer can't use it again.

Wow, seriously? So if I trademark a phrase, nobody is allowed to say those words without paying me first?

[VarianceVQ]

Something for the Swedish car fans this go-around.

Nissan:

-I20 and I40. [filed]

Daimler:

-G63. [filed]

Volvo:

-D6. [published] Not a car, but a badge for an engine.

Saab:

-eXWD. [published]

-Viggen. [registered]

[fixmy59bug]

Wow, seriously? So if I trademark a phrase, nobody is allowed to say those words without paying me first?

That really surprises you?

Michael Buffer sued people for using "Lets Get Ready To Rumble".

Paris Hilton trademarked "That's Hot" and sued Hallmark.

Emeril Lagasse trademarked "BAM!"

I'm sure there are hundreds of trademarked phrases.

I wonder if you are able to trademark obscene phrases.....

[duke of chucchinchilla]

Volvo:

-D6. [published] Not a car, but a badge for an engine.

A diesel Volvo in the US (again)?!