Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GM applies for LT5, LTX trademarks... are new small block variants coming?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/gm-applies-for-lt5-ltx-trademarks-are-new-small-block-varian/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/gm-applies-for-lt5-ltx-trademarks-are-new-small-block-varian/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/29/gm-applies-for-lt5-ltx-trademarks-are-new-small-block-varian/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chevrolet V8 small block cutaway

Recently discovered General Motors trademark applications for LT4, LT5, LT88 and LTX have observers wondering what kind of high-performance offerings could be on their way. A new LT4 would mark a return of the engine designation first used on the Corvette Grand Sport, SLP Pontiac Firehawk and SLP Chevrolet Camaro SS from 1996 and 1997. Supposition at Corvette Forum - which provided advance intel on the C7 like these leaked images - believes a new LT4 could go into the high-performance trim of the next-gen, 2015 Camaro that would be more powerful than the 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1.

Seeing an LT5 again would also be déjà vu - in its former life it was a 5.7-liter V8 for the C4 Corvette ZR-1 from 1990-1994 designed by Lotus, producing from 370 hp to 405 hp. A mix of rumor and hope is that the new LT5 will be a supercharged evolution of the 6.2-liter LT1 (pictured) placed in the new C7 Corvette, and that it will go into the C7 version of the ZR1 pumping out something like 700 hp.

The LTX trademark is, as with that last letter, a complete mystery. If the "X" isn't a generic way to denote the whole LT family, it's wondered if it LTX could refer to a crate motor offering like the LSX.

GM applies for LT5, LTX trademarks... are new small block variants coming? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevychevy camarochevy corvettegml88lt4lt5ltxsmall blocktrademarkMon, 29 Apr 2013 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552029/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/29/gm-applies-for-lt5-ltx-trademarks-are-new-small-block-varian/20552029/article-detail.xml 20552029 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/new-small-blocks_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/new-small-blocks.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy moves to trademark Chevelle nameplate, but why?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-moves-to-trademark-chevelle-nameplate-but-why/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-moves-to-trademark-chevelle-nameplate-but-why/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/05/chevy-moves-to-trademark-chevelle-nameplate-but-why/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Chevrolet Code 130R concept - front three-quarter view

According to a report from GM Authority, General Motors has applied for a trademark on the "Chevelle" nameplate, filing the request under the "exterior badges for vehicles" category of the "goods and services" section of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. And while you certainly could argue that this is simply to protect the Chevelle nomenclature that represents a large part of Chevrolet history, GM Authority has a couple of good reasons why you might want to think otherwise.

First of all, GMA points out that companies don't necessary file trademarks for the sake of keeping up on records. Basically, if a company wants to complete the registration of a trademark, it needs to file a legal document called a SOU (Statement of Use), which requests that the applicant show the current business reason for filing the trademark. That said, a company can prolong the time it has to file an SOU by up to three years which does, sort of, account for using the trademark on a future product.

But what sort of future product? GM Authority suggests - and stay with us here - that the Chevelle name could be applied to a new coupe to slot in above the Camaro but below the Corvette. In other words, Chevrolet could bring a version of the Code 130R concept (pictured) into production, call it the Camaro, and then have the Chevelle act as a replacement for the Camaro as we know it today, meaning the 130R-based car would instead take the shape of a sort of Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ fighter as we earlier reported.

Another option would be to slap the Chevelle name on the replacement for the Chevrolet SS sedan, which just made its introduction earlier this year. GM Authority states that the Holden VF Commodore on which the current SS is based will only be around for another three years, so this would still be within the timing of the trademark filing's Statement of Use.

Of course, this could all be nothing - or it could be something else entirely. Only time will tell. Let us know what your best guess is in Comments.

Chevy moves to trademark Chevelle nameplate, but why? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevellechevychevy code 130rcode 130rtrademarktrademark applicationFri, 05 Apr 2013 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20532140/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/05/chevy-moves-to-trademark-chevelle-nameplate-but-why/20532140/article-detail.xml 20532140 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/03-chevrolet-code-130r-concept-detroit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/03-chevrolet-code-130r-concept-detroit.jpg <![CDATA[Are you the production Gumpert Tornante?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/are-you-the-production-gumpert-tornante/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/are-you-the-production-gumpert-tornante/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/are-you-the-production-gumpert-tornante/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Gumpert Tornante

A few trademark drawings of what could be the production Gumpert Tornante have shown up on the internet. As you may recall, the supercar manufacturer recently made its way through insolvency largely unscathed and is already back to building Apollo models. But it looks like that isn't all the company is up to. The team at WorldCarFans managed to lay its mitts on a trademark drawing that shows what looks to be an evolution of the Gumpert Tornante by Touring Concept that debuted at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

Designers have scrapped the concept's split rear window in favor louvered back glass, and the vehicle's exhaust seems to have received a substantial revision as well. While it's unclear exactly what sort of drivetrain the production Tornante will offer, it's concept predecessor came packing a twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8 engine producing somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 horsepower. The mill was bolted to a TT40e six-speed semi-automatic gearbox. Sounds like a party.

Are you the production Gumpert Tornante? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gumpertgumpert tornantegumpert tornante trademark drawingstornantetrademarktrademark drawingsTue, 18 Dec 2012 18:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20406478/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/18/are-you-the-production-gumpert-tornante/20406478/article-detail.xml 20406478 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/gumpert-tornante-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/gumpert-tornante-628.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy says El Camino and Nomad trademark filings were just routine paperwork]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/chevy-says-el-camino-and-nomad-trademark-filings-were-just-routi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/chevy-says-el-camino-and-nomad-trademark-filings-were-just-routi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/chevy-says-el-camino-and-nomad-trademark-filings-were-just-routi/#commentsFiled under: ,



A slew of recent trademark filings by General Motors had us daydreaming about the return of Chevrolet models like the El Camino and Nomad, but alas, Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is just keeping up on its paperwork. In order to prevent losing the names to other companies, automakers have to routinely renew the trademark filings for previously used names.

To realize the importance of name trademarks, we only have to look to the Ford Fusion. As the story goes, Ford originally wanted to call this new sedan the Futura, but Pep Boys had assumed control of the name for a line of tires forcing Ford to choose another name. With the Holden Commodore heading back to the US as the Chevrolet SS, we'd still like to believe there's a Holden Ute pickup heading our way with a bowtie on the grille.

While the article all but shoots down our hopes of a new El Camino or Nomad, it makes no mention of the ZR2 name, which also recently came up in similar trademark paperwork and was an off-road-ready trim level on the S10 and Blazer.

Chevy says El Camino and Nomad trademark filings were just routine paperwork originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletel caminonomadtrademarktrademark filingzr2Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20405183/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/18/chevy-says-el-camino-and-nomad-trademark-filings-were-just-routi/20405183/article-detail.xml 20405183 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/pontial-g8-st_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/pontial-g8-st.jpg <![CDATA[Ford trademarks "Black Label" for Lincoln]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/ford-trademarks-black-label-for-lincoln/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/ford-trademarks-black-label-for-lincoln/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/ford-trademarks-black-label-for-lincoln/#commentsFiled under: ,



Bentley has offered Black Label cars (as well as Red and Green Label), Mercedes-Benz has Black Series, Audi and Porsche have Black Editions. Seeking a pass into the true luxury club, could Lincoln soon have a line of Black Label cars to call its own?

Parent company Ford trademarked the phrase "Lincoln Black Label" last month, and not only do we not have any clue what it might signify, the company might never apply the name to anything. It's an interesting way to go, though; Black Label is a hugely popular appellation for everything from soap to fashion to something called a "pore penetrator," and it's almost always meant to signify an appreciable notch above the norm. The question is, what kind of Lincoln could wear that badge and not be accused of being a cynical marketing exercise? Even on a Ford forum one poster wrote, "While I think that would be an awesome use of Black label unfortunately Lincoln doesn't have any vehicles nor the platform to back that up."

It would also be a departure from how Lincoln has signified its special lines until recently. Designer cars that began in the seventies, like the Cartier Town Car and Emilio Pucci Mark IV, gave way to the generic Designer trim level and then Signature Limited (itself a step above the Signature L) that was last used on the 2011 Lincoln Town Car. The present offerings are only differentiated by engines, lacking an equivalent of Ford's Titanium branding - on the MKS even the options packages are called "Equipment Group 20XA" - and this could be how Black Label finds a home. But tell us, what kind of Lincoln would deserve it?

Ford trademarks "Black Label" for Lincoln originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black labelbrandingfordlincolnlincoln black labeltrademarkFri, 02 Nov 2012 16:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20367427/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/02/ford-trademarks-black-label-for-lincoln/20367427/article-detail.xml 20367427 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/lincolnbadge_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/lincolnbadge.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler trademarks 8 Mile, ProMaster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/chrysler-trademarks-8-mile-promaster/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/chrysler-trademarks-8-mile-promaster/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/chrysler-trademarks-8-mile-promaster/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fiat Ducato van - red - front three-quarter view

Chrysler has been busy at the trademark office. Allpar.com reports the manufacturer has laid claim to a stack of new names, including Detroit Motor Works, Wrangler Freedom Edition, 8 Mile, Crossroad and Chrysler 100, as well as Ram ProMaster and the Ram ProMaster City. The automaker has made no secret of the fact that it wants to build a new small car, and that the machine will almost certainly ride under the Chrysler 100 banner. Dealers reportedly got a closer look at the vehicle at a recent gathering in Las Vegas.

Likewise, the two ProMaster names are little surprise, as Fiat intends to give the Ford Transit and Transit connect some competition with its own European-style Ducato vans. Now it looks as if those will come with ProMaster badges.

But, names like Detroit Motor Works, 8 Mile and Crossroad all leave the door open for some speculation. Allpar.com also reports Chrysler has laid claim to Active Air, which it speculates may be applied to the company's variable-length intake runners.

Chrysler trademarks 8 Mile, ProMaster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8 milechryslerchrysler 100chrysler trademarkcrossroaddetroit motor worksducatoeight milepromasterpromaster cityram promasterram promaster citytrademarkwranglerThu, 20 Sep 2012 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20328050/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/20/chrysler-trademarks-8-mile-promaster/20328050/article-detail.xml 20328050 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/fiat-ducato-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/fiat-ducato-628.jpg <![CDATA[Icon, Mattel speak on FJ40 trademark claims]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/icon-mattel-speak-on-fj40-trademark-claims/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/icon-mattel-speak-on-fj40-trademark-claims/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/21/icon-mattel-speak-on-fj40-trademark-claims/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Icon FJ45 Emblem

Things are looking up for Icon. The company just moved from its tiny original location to a sprawling new facility, and every machine its craftsmen produce is sold before the final bolts are tightened. There's even talk of finding ways to triple production in order to keep up with demand. In addition to the off-road titans and clever Derelict models we know and love, Jonathan Ward, CEO and Lead Designer with the company, is busy working to expand his business with corporate partnerships and new products that go beyond old metal. But Icon recently made headlines for another reason altogether.

As you may recall, Icon recently accused Hot Wheels and parent company Mattel of infringing on the customizer's design and naming trademarks. Jonathan Ward, CEO and head designer for Icon, says the trouble started in September, 2010 when he pitched the idea of a die-cast Icon model to Alec Tam, the design director for Hot Wheels. Ward sent an email with the full Icon product book to Mattel to no avail. Six months later, he received a note from a customer congratulating him on scoring a deal with Hot Wheels. The client had spotted a rendering on the Hot Wheels future product page that looked awfully similar to a promotional shot Icon uses for the company's FJ40 model.

Continue reading Icon, Mattel speak on FJ40 trademark claims

Icon, Mattel speak on FJ40 trademark claims originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fj40fj40+iconfj40iconhot wheelsiconicon fj40icon fj40 hot wheelsjonathan wardland cruiserlawsuitmatteltoyotatoyota land cruisertrademarktrademark+-patenttrademark-patentThu, 21 Jun 2012 13:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20262629/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/21/icon-mattel-speak-on-fj40-trademark-claims/20262629/article-detail.xml 20262629 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/icon-fj45-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/icon-fj45-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Buick moves to trademark Electra]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/15/buick-moves-to-trademark-electra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/15/buick-moves-to-trademark-electra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/15/buick-moves-to-trademark-electra/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

GM trademarks

Could General Motors be planning to dust off another moniker from its heyday and reintroduce a Buick Electra? The General filed an application to protect the trademark on June 5, which might hint at a future, full-size Buick model.

Once Buick's top-of-the-line sedan, the Electra did the same slow fade in the '80s as so many classic GM names, with the final 1990 Electra being supplanted by the Park Avenue. While those last Electras were examples of GM badge-engineering at its worst, Electra 225 models of the 1960's were among Buick's best. With fender skirts and monstrous V8 engines, the Bill Mitchell-designed Electras were trumped in the GM pantheon only by full-size Cadillac models.

But as much as we might like to see GM reintroduce a Buick land yacht, we find that notion unlikely. If the Electra name returns - which this trademark application certainly doesn't guarantee - it is more likely to be attached to a vehicle that's 180-degrees different from the traditional Buick model.

We say this because the last time we heard rumors of GM reviving the name, it was because Electra sounds a lot like "electric." Back in 2008 GM was considering badging the Opel and Vauxhall version of the Volt as "Electra," but of course decided to go with Ampera instead. We'd be more likely to believe that this new trademark filing was prompted by similar motives than any return to form for a Buick Electra flagship.

Buick moves to trademark Electra originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buickbuick electraelectrageneral motorsgmpatenttrademarkFri, 15 Jun 2012 08:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20258425/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/15/buick-moves-to-trademark-electra/20258425/article-detail.xml 20258425 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/electra-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/electra-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Cadillac moves to trademark LTS, is it for a rear-drive flagship?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/14/cadillac-moves-to-trademark-lts-is-it-for-a-rear-drive-flagship/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/14/cadillac-moves-to-trademark-lts-is-it-for-a-rear-drive-flagship/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/14/cadillac-moves-to-trademark-lts-is-it-for-a-rear-drive-flagship/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Car and Driver is back with more info on the potential future of Cadillac, having discovered that our finest domestic luxury brand has filed a trademark application for the name "LTS." The reasoned speculation: that since Cadillac tends to use the names it files to protect, LTS could be applied to one of the two rear-drive sedans expected to arrive soon - either the eventual successor to the just-introduced XTS or an Omega-platformed top-tier flagship. Another possibility is the name XLS.

More interesting are the dimensional roles that Car and Driver predicts for the coming lineup. With the CTS growing in order to put some girth between it and the ATS, making it a straighter comparison to the BMW 5 Series, the XTS replacement would fit between the 5 Series and 7 Series, and the flagship "would exceed even the long-wheelbase 7 in size." That might leave the flagship no larger than the current DTS, which is already 2.4 inches longer than the 760Li, but if the report is correct it will be interesting to see how Cadillac differentiates that middle sedan from the other two.

Cadillac moves to trademark LTS, is it for a rear-drive flagship? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillaccadillac cielcadillac flagshipcadillac ltscadillac xlscadillac xtscielltstrademarktrademark applicationxlsxtsThu, 14 Jun 2012 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20258208/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/14/cadillac-moves-to-trademark-lts-is-it-for-a-rear-drive-flagship/20258208/article-detail.xml 20258208 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/cadillacltstmark_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/cadillacltstmark.jpg <![CDATA[BMW copyrights 2 Series, X2, M7, M10, etc.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/04/bmw-copyrights-2-series-x2-m7-m10-etc/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/04/bmw-copyrights-2-series-x2-m7-m10-etc/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/04/bmw-copyrights-2-series-x2-m7-m10-etc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

BMW Emblem on white background

BMW looks to be on something of a name-grabbing spree. The German automaker has reportedly trademarked a number of new vehicle names, including 2 Series, X2, M7 and M10 among others. Of course, just because a manufacturer lays claim to a name doesn't mean there's a production model around the bend, but the monikers at least give us an idea of what's being thrown around conference tables in Munich. While names like 2 Series, X2 and M7 are no real shock given the rumors we've heard as of late, it is interesting to ponder what an M10 might be.

The German manufacturer also planted its flag on awkward names like Compactive, Compactive Tourer and Urbanic. All of those badges could conceivably find a home on the new line of front-wheel drive BMW models set to be introduced in the near future. Check out the full list of trademarked names over at E90Post.com.

BMW copyrights 2 Series, X2, M7, M10, etc. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2 series7 seriesbmwbmw m10bmw m7bmw namesbmw x2copyrightfront-wheel drivefront-wheel drive bmwm10m7trademarkx2Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20250937/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/04/bmw-copyrights-2-series-x2-m7-m10-etc/20250937/article-detail.xml 20250937 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/bmw-emblem-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/bmw-emblem-628.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus moves to trademark spindle grille]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/lexus-moves-to-trademark-spindle-grille/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/lexus-moves-to-trademark-spindle-grille/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/lexus-moves-to-trademark-spindle-grille/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lexus LF-LC concept

Apparently the new Lexus spindle grille is here to stay. According to the Kaizen Factor blog, Toyota has filed numerous trademark applications in both the United States and Canada for various spindle grille designs.

The main differences in the designs are the inserts, either a zig-zag mesh like the current F Sport models of the CT, IS, GS, RX and LS, or a horizontal pattern like the non-F Sport models. But there's also a new "vertical bar" design revealed by the filings, which the report speculates may be applied to the next-generation IS.

Toyota has also filed paperwork to trademark the basic spindle outline with no insert, according to the report. For what it's worth, Lexus isn't the only Japanese automaker that's using a grille with this general shape...

Lexus moves to trademark spindle grille originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lexusspindle grilletoyotatrademarkWed, 23 May 2012 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20242852/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/lexus-moves-to-trademark-spindle-grille/20242852/article-detail.xml 20242852 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/11-lexus-lf-lc-concept-detroit-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/11-lexus-lf-lc-concept-detroit-opt.jpg <![CDATA[GM trademarks Riviera name]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/gm-trademarks-riviera-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/gm-trademarks-riviera-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/gm-trademarks-riviera-name/#commentsFiled under: ,



Autoblog reader Ed sent us this screen shot from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, showing that General Motors has apparently trademarked the name Riviera for use on automobiles. It's no secret that the Riviera name resonates well with anyone familiar with Buick's history, and since the production coupe's death in 1999, the name Riviera has only been resurrected once for the 2007 concept car you see here.

So, why is GM registering the Riviera name again? Your guess is as good as ours. As GM Inside News points out, it could be nothing - automakers will, from time to time, trademark a host of words or alphanumeric sequences (Ford, for example, has trademarked everything from MKA to MKZ for potential Lincoln use). But then again, this isn't the first (or second, or third) time that we've heard rumors about Buick potentially adding a coupe to its lineup, and the Riviera name would certainly be appropriate.

GM trademarks Riviera name originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buickgeneral motorsgmpatentrivieratrademarkWed, 09 May 2012 15:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20234952/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/gm-trademarks-riviera-name/20234952/article-detail.xml 20234952 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/riviera_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/riviera.jpg <![CDATA[Eric Clapton's one-off Ferrari revealed in patent drawings]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/eric-claptons-one-off-ferrari-revealed-in-patent-drawings/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/eric-claptons-one-off-ferrari-revealed-in-patent-drawings/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/eric-claptons-one-off-ferrari-revealed-in-patent-drawings/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ferrari SP12 EPC patent drawing

You'd expect someone with a nickname like "hotshoe" or "leadfoot" to be behind the wheel of a Ferrari. "Slowhand" less so, but that's the nickname of one Eric Clapton, who in addition to being one of the most highly acclaimed rock and blues guitarists of all time also happens to be a huge nut for the Prancing Horse marque. In fact, Clapton is understood to have swung by Maranello a couple of years back, where he presumably got the reddest of red carpet treatments while placing an order for a custom Ferrari.

That unique one-off, called the SP12 EPC has been dropping on and off of our radar, with some grainy snapshots a couple of weeks ago and some hasty video footage of the custom creation leaving a dealership in the UK a few days thereafter. But if those didn't provide clear enough a picture for you, a batch of alleged patent renderings have now surfaced showing every line of the car's bespoke shape. Check it out in the gallery for a closer look.

Eric Clapton's one-off Ferrari revealed in patent drawings originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>claptoneric claptonferrariferrari sp12 epcmaranellopatentpatent drawingsrenderingtrademarkThu, 05 Apr 2012 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20209153/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/05/eric-claptons-one-off-ferrari-revealed-in-patent-drawings/20209153/article-detail.xml 20209153 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/web2012-ferrari-sp12-epcw_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/web2012-ferrari-sp12-epcw.jpg <![CDATA[Infiniti files for G35h, G30t and G22d trademarks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/22/infiniti-files-for-g35h-g30t-and-g22d-trademarks/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/22/infiniti-files-for-g35h-g30t-and-g22d-trademarks/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/22/infiniti-files-for-g35h-g30t-and-g22d-trademarks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Infiniti G37

Infiniti's rival to the BMW 3 Series is known by just one letter - that letter, of course, being G - but the range is expanding beyond the solitary G35 that had been the mainstay of the line for years. The G35 was succeeded by the G37 (pictured above) and recently supplemented by the smaller-displacement G25, but emerging reports indicate that Infiniti has a whole raft of new versions on their way.

The report from Car and Driver is bolstered by tell-tale trademark applications for the nameplates G35h, G30t and G22d. The numbers tell us something, but it's the lower-case letters that follow which really indicate what to expect. The G35h, then, could seemingly adapt the hybrid powertrain currently found in the M35h, coupling a 3.5-liter V6 with electric assist. The G30t suggests a turbocharged engine is in the pipeline, though it's too early to tell if the spool would be fitted to a four- or six-cylinder engine. Finally, a G22d could join the range of diesel models which Infiniti currently offers in Europe.

We'll have to wait and see if and when the Nissan premium marque rolls out these model variants on its mainstay line of sedans, coupes and convertibles, but the trademark filings at least give some guidelines to our anticipation.

Infiniti files for G35h, G30t and G22d trademarks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 infiniti g2012 infiniti g37gg22dg30tg35hg37infinitiinfiniti ginfiniti g22dinfiniti g30tinfiniti g35htrademarkThu, 22 Mar 2012 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20199174/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/22/infiniti-files-for-g35h-g30t-and-g22d-trademarks/20199174/article-detail.xml 20199174 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/10-2010-infiniti-g37_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/10-2010-infiniti-g37.jpg <![CDATA[Are these the patent filings for Volvo's S-Class-fighting S100 flagship?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/are-these-the-patent-filings-for-volvos-s-class-fighting-s100-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/are-these-the-patent-filings-for-volvos-s-class-fighting-s100-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/are-these-the-patent-filings-for-volvos-s-class-fighting-s100-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There are luxury automakers, there are mainstream automakers, and then there are those in between. Volvo, we'd argue, is one of those marques that doesn't quite compete in the same market as, say, Mercedes-Benz or Lexus, but that looks as if it's about to change.

The Swedish automaker has been toying for years with the idea of building a new flagship to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Lexus LS, but while Volvo has dragged its feet on the prospect in the past, a series of what look like patent renderings that have leaked their way online give us what could prove the strongest indication yet of Volvo's intent.

For better or worse, the renderings bear the hallmark of recent Volvo designs like the Concept Universe (unveiled in Shanghai last year), the Concept You (showcased in Frankfurt) and the upcoming next-generation XC90 - complete with the gaping maw that seems to mock the face we make when we look at these examples of this particular styling direction.

Of course, given the big wheels, showcar grille, delicate mirrors and suicide rear doors (not to mention the overall form), it seems more likely we're looking at renderings for the Concept Universe rather than a production model in the making, but that just leaves us wondering what the patent filing is for. We'll just have to wait a while to find out one way or another.

Are these the patent filings for Volvo's S-Class-fighting S100 flagship? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightpatentpatent filingpatent officepatent renderingrenderingtrademarkuniversevolvovolvo concept universevolvo s100Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20166571/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/07/are-these-the-patent-filings-for-volvos-s-class-fighting-s100-f/20166571/article-detail.xml 20166571 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/webvolvo-uni-rend_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/webvolvo-uni-rend.jpg <![CDATA[Lamborghini sues Vegas restaurant and exotic car dealer for trademark infringement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/18/lamborghini-sues-vegas-restaurant-and-exotic-car-dealer-for-trad/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/18/lamborghini-sues-vegas-restaurant-and-exotic-car-dealer-for-trad/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/18/lamborghini-sues-vegas-restaurant-and-exotic-car-dealer-for-trad/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dal ToroDoes the logo at right remind you of anything? If you answered "Lamborghini", you're both right and wrong. Because it's not the Bolognese automaker's logo. Nor is it the emblem of the Tonino Lamborghini product design company, which is in fact no longer directly associated with the sportscar manufacturer. It doesn't even belong to the South American outfit that was once licensed by Sant'Agata to use the name, or the tractor company that started it all.

This logo "belongs" to an Italian restaurant and exotic car dealership on the Las Vegas strip called Dal Toro. Not only does the emblem appear in the eatery/showroom, it also shows up on merchandise which the establishment is marketing. And according to the UPI, it's the subject of a lawsuit between the establishment's owners and the car company.

The Italian automaker refers to the pilfering and use of its logo as "studied imitations of the Lamborghini trademarks" and a "sophisticated and elaborate scheme to target Lamborghini." We're not quite sure we'd go that far, but there appears to be case for trademark violation to be made here, and while Dal Toro's management has reportedly yet to receive any legal petitions over the issue, Lamborghini is apparently prepared to take it to court.

Lamborghini sues Vegas restaurant and exotic car dealer for trademark infringement originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyright infringementcourtdal torodal toro restorantelamborghinilas vegasraging bulltrademarktrademark infringementtrademark violationMon, 18 Jul 2011 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19993604/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/18/lamborghini-sues-vegas-restaurant-and-exotic-car-dealer-for-trad/19993604/article-detail.xml 19993604 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/dal-toro_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/dal-toro.jpg <![CDATA[Audi denied TDI trademark by European court]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/07/audi-denied-tdi-trademark-by-european-court/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/07/audi-denied-tdi-trademark-by-european-court/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/07/audi-denied-tdi-trademark-by-european-court/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Audi R18 TDI

As much as it has with the Quattro brand, Audi (and its parent company Volkswagen) have more recently turned the letters TDI into an emblem of what it stands for as an automaker. Think of those three letters and you could picture no other marque, that's how closely intertwined the two have become. But an attempt to enshrine that much in law has apparently failed.

According to Autobild, Audi went to the European Union courts in Luxembourg - on behalf of its parent company as well in its own right - to secure dominion over the TDI badge, but in a ruling this week, the judge ruled that the acronym is not theirs alone. Apparently the judge felt that the letters apply to a technology that is common with other automakers - namely turbocharged diesels with direct injection - and therefore rejected Audi's claim of ownership.

The company apparently owns the name in individual countries, so any attempt by a rival automaker to use the name would undoubtedly prove difficult. But as far as the European Union is concerned, it's not illegal.

Audi denied TDI trademark by European court originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audicopyrightcourteueuropean unionintellectual propertyluxembourgtditdi trademarktrademarkvolkswagenThu, 07 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19985691/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/07/audi-denied-tdi-trademark-by-european-court/19985691/article-detail.xml 19985691 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/audimotorsport-110702-3500_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/audimotorsport-110702-3500.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler legal bid to halt 'Imported From Detroit' merchandise sales falls short]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/chrysler-legal-bid-to-halt-imported-from-detroit-merchandise-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/chrysler-legal-bid-to-halt-imported-from-detroit-merchandise-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/29/chrysler-legal-bid-to-halt-imported-from-detroit-merchandise-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

Imported from DetroitAutomotive News is reporting that Chrysler has failed to stop a clothing manufacturer from selling "Imported from Detroit" apparel on the grounds of trademark infringement. U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow ruled in favor of Pure Detroit, saying that the automaker's request failed to show that the manufacturer would suffer any irreparable harm by the apparel company's actions. The judge also pointed out that Chrysler doesn't actually have a trademark on the "Imported from Detroit" slogan. After Chrysler aired its ad for the company's 200 during this year's Super Bowl, Pure Detroit began churning out T-shirts. The automaker sued Moda Group in March, and Pure Detroit counter sued in April.

The clothing maker's suit argued that Chrysler doesn't hold a trademark on the phrase in part because of the fact that the slogan is geographical and somewhat misleading, as Chrysler is actually based in Auburn Hills and the 200 is assembled in Sterling Heights. Apparently Judge Tarnow agrees with Pure Detroit's assessment.

Chrysler legal bid to halt 'Imported From Detroit' merchandise sales falls short originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerchrysler lawsuitimported from detroitimported from detroit lawsuitlawsuitmoda grouppure detroittrademarkWed, 29 Jun 2011 11:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19979342/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/29/chrysler-legal-bid-to-halt-imported-from-detroit-merchandise-s/19979342/article-detail.xml 19979342 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/imported-from-detroit-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/imported-from-detroit-250.jpg <![CDATA[Pair of Giugiaro Volkswagen concepts leak out ahead of Geneva debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/pair-of-giugiaro-volkswagen-concepts-leak-out-ahead-of-geneva-de/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/pair-of-giugiaro-volkswagen-concepts-leak-out-ahead-of-geneva-de/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/22/pair-of-giugiaro-volkswagen-concepts-leak-out-ahead-of-geneva-de/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Volkswagen Italdesign concept 1
Volkswagen Italdesign concepts - Click either image for high-res gallery

Giorgetto Giuigiaro and his Italdesign studio have a long history of collaboration with the Volkswagen Group. In addition to having designed the original Golf and Scirocco, Guigiaro has penned a whole slew of showcars for the German automotive empire from the Volkswagen W12 concept to the numerous Seat designs, to say nothing of all the Lamborghini and Bugatti models over the years. But the relationship between Italdesign and Volkswagen grew that much closer Volkswagen Italdesign concept 2when the latter acquired the former last May. Now close to a year later, we have our first glimpse at the first product of that collaboration in the form of two concept cars.

The pair were apparently leaked from the European patent registry and could be Giugiaro's vision of the form which the next-generation Golf and Polo might take. Or they could represent the next Scirocco and the production Up! urban runabout. Word has it that they're electric powered, and could be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next week. We'll have to sit tight to find out for sure, but in the meantime you can check out the images of both in the gallery below.


Gallery: Leaked Italdesign-Giugiaro Volkswagen Concepts

Concept 1Concept 1Concept 1Concept 1Concept 1

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Pair of Giugiaro Volkswagen concepts leak out ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 geneva motor showeuropean patent officegenevageneva 2011geneva motor showgiorgetto giugiarogiugiaroitaldesignitaldesign giugiaropatenttrademarkvolkswagenTue, 22 Feb 2011 11:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19854080/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/22/pair-of-giugiaro-volkswagen-concepts-leak-out-ahead-of-geneva-de/19854080/article-detail.xml 19854080 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/web630-vw-giu-aoami1-01_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/web630-vw-giu-aoami1-01.jpg <![CDATA[Chevrolet Cruze hatchback design submitted for trademark]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/29/chevrolet-cruze-hatchback-design-submitted-for-trademark/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/29/chevrolet-cruze-hatchback-design-submitted-for-trademark/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/29/chevrolet-cruze-hatchback-design-submitted-for-trademark/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback trademark drawing
Chevrolet Cruze hatchback design drawings - Click above for high-res image gallery

Most cars never look quite as cool as their conceptual and pre-production versions, and it would appear that the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback will be no exception. Carscoop was able to get its hands on design drawings of the car used for trademark filings with the European patent office.

The good news is that the Cruze hatchback manages to stay fairly faithful to the version shown off at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The predictable bad news is that the front fascia looks less aggressive and ditches the LED light strips for standard fog lamps. What's more, the wheels will be smaller than the oversized auto show setup seen in Paris, and the rear taillamps will most likely be toned down a notch. The design and the show car are actually very similar looking. However, you can't have the sweet without the sour, so the really bad news is that the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback has not been greenlit for U.S. roads.


Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback design renderings

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback design renderingsChevrolet Cruze Hatchback design renderingsChevrolet Cruze Hatchback design renderingsChevrolet Cruze Hatchback design renderingsChevrolet Cruze Hatchback design renderings

[Source: Carscoop]

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback design submitted for trademark originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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