Trademark filings reveal automaker secrets (Part 2)
One sure way to get a glimpse of future product names in any industry is to study U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filings. Since our last trademark report, some new names have been registered. In this installment, Lincoln registers the alphabet, the Avenger is confirmed, Mercedes loses a name, a new GM slogan, a long wheelbase Cadillac DTS, a new Infinti engine and more...
"Lincoln MKR"
Lincoln has added another moniker to its stable of possible car names. The latest edition (filed April 24th) is "Lincoln MKR." Currently, Lincoln's "MK" trademarks include MKS, MKX, and MKZ -- all of which are in use -- plus MKSW, MKV, MKF, MKE, MKC, MKN, and MKA.
"Life. Liberty. And The Pursuit."
On April 28th, General Motors filed for the slogan "Life. Liberty. And The Pursuit." We're not sure what this will be used for, but in our last report we successfully uncovered Saturn's "Like Always. Like Never Before."? slogan before it was used.
Dodge "Avenger" a certainty
If ever there was doubt about the name Dodge's next family sedan, this filing should clarify things. Dodge is widely expected to call its version of the 2007 Chrysler Sebring the "Dodge Avenger." On April 13th, it officially registered the name.
Mercedes naming uncertainty
With each model update, Mercedes has been rolling out updated V8 and AMG engine offerings. The new AMG models use the '63' engine (CLS 63, E 63, etc), while the new V8 models use the '550' extension. The first sign of a discrepancy popped up when the new CLS was introduced as the "CLS 500" despite having the same engine as the E 550 and S 550. Now, the patent office lists the name "E 550" as "abandoned" as of May 16. It appears Ford owns the name "E-550" and was probably not willing to give it up. Will Mercedes roll back to the '500' designation? Time will tell...
"CLC-Class"
Mercedes on May 9th filed for the name CLC-Class. Is another niche vehicle in the works? A two-door CLS, perhaps? (And no, that wouldn't be a CL-Class since the CLS-Class costs much less).
Cadillac "DTS-L"?
On April 27th, GM registered the name DTS-L. A competitor to the Chrysler 300C Long Wheelbase, perhaps?
Infiniti "FX50"?
Nissan registered the name "FX50" for its Infiniti brand on April 19th. Currently, the range-topping FX model is called the FX45. Will a new 5.0 liter powerplant replace the current 4.5 liter engine? Better still, what other cars might such a powerplant end up in? We know where we'd love to see it.