General Motors Continues To Pursue Riviera Trademark
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General Motors is still in the process of acquiring the trademark for the word “Riviera”, GM Authority has learned. Originally filed on May 3, 2012 with the USPTO, the status of GM’s application was last updated on March 12, 2013 with the status of “Published to USPTO Gazette for opposition period on 3/12/2013.”
The status, in particular, signifies that the trademark and its details has been published in the Trademark Official Gazette (TMOG), which is released every Tuesday. Publication in the TMOG commences the period of opposition for some of the marks listed in the publication, providing those against the trademark application being approved an opportunity to oppose the filing.
Since Opel showed its Cascada convertible, the two-door soft-top cabriolet variant of the Astra, enthusiasts have recognized the likelihood of the car making its way to North American markets as a Buick. Last week, Opel’s chief of strategy Thomas Sedran confirmed a directive from General Motors to explore the possibility of bringing the Cascada to China as a Buick… and we think that Riviera would make a great name for just such a vehicle. So, given that GM is still pursuing the Riviera name, we think there’s a better-than-average chance that The General will use this name for Buick’s Cascada… at least in North America.
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NOOO, no FWD vehicle should be called the iconic Riviera. What a disgrace to that vehicle!!
Whoops, The Riv was FWD:)
Glad you corrected yourself! What you meant was that the cool ones were RWD (except for 77-78 “LeSabre” rivs). I liked the ’79, BUT wow those drove weird with their 70/30 weight distribution. Felt like driving a tractor.
Growing up a family friend had a mint 67 with “seafoam green” paint, it looked like the Batmobile!
Give it 2 more doors no one whets a 2 door now a days. Make them suicide doors. Let’s mix it up a bit.
I think a 2 door convertible would be fine.
However an Astra sized Riviera does not seem right. Rivs were always larger vehicles.
Two more doors is the Verano minus the middle seat in the back.. have you used suicide doors? They are an absolute pain in the ass
Some names are best left inside the history books.
Amen to that! Grand National & GNX should also be left alone. If Reuss is determined to offer performance Buicks stick with the “GS” and possibly “GSX”.
You’re right. I remember than Opel introduced the new Opel GT in Europe which was a rebadged version of the Saturn Sky roadster, and was criticized by fans and journalists for it, because this car had nothing in common with the original GT from the 60s with its unique styling. The same thing with the Cascada, where most people thought that Opel would call it the Calibra and many were against it because a new Calibra needs to be based on the Insignia and not on a compact car such as the Astra. Sometimes it makes sense to take a new name.
The Cascada is a premium large convertible with exceptional build quality & performance & fit to have whatever name Buick decides.
It says it is a 2 door Astra. So it is even smaller than an Astra?
C-segment. Compact vehicle. I think the size of a Cruze?
Here in the US that is a pretty small vehicle. Very unlike the last Riv.
Riviera 207″ long
Astra 3 door 169″ long.
over 3′ shorter.
It’s based on a stretched Astra platform & called Cascada aiming at BMW 4 series & Audi A5. (Maybe we may get a smaller Astra convertible in the future not sure).
OK, it is bigger. 185″, but still 2′ shorter than the last one.
For all intents and purposes, the Cascada is a convertible Astra. Yes, it is stretched (very, very, very slightly), but the underlying architecture is still that of a compact vehicle range (Astra, Delta II).
This doesn’t make the Cascada “large” or “midsize”… in fact, midsize would be 190-195 inches in length (think Regal/Insignia coupe, CTS Coupe). Rather, the Cascada is clearly a compact, and Opel is being coy by (trying to) market it as a size larger. It’s a good marketing practice, but customers will notice its size (positive or negative) upon looking at it, sitting in it, or driving it.
As attractive as it is, this drop top Astra is no Riviera. This Opel Cascada tuned Buick is at best a “Skylark” or perhaps simply a “Buick Verano Cabriolet”. Save the “Riviera” name for somthing really special!
As for V8 large saloons & coupes with aggressive body kits on, wide wheels & two/four large exhausts, blacked out rear lights (and of course RWD) that’s what me & some others want wether they build it, well that’s another thing.
Tbh I like the old names & wish at times they’d stuck with them, they mean things to people (life’s experiences, fond memories etc).
Cascada btw is longer than a Audi A5 cabriolet.
But here in the US the A4 and A5 are considered small/inexpensive/entry level cars (for luxury vehicles). The A6 is what most successful/established professionals buy and that is more like what the Riviera market was. And even the A6 is a foot shorter than the Riviera.
Early Rivs were 224″ long.
Just saying that here in the states a tiny car like the Cascada would not have the presence of the past Riviera. Good or bad.
If I saw correctly Automobile Magazine suggested that the Riviera is coming back as the Buick version of the Large Alpha or on the Omega platform with a Twin Turbo 3.6.
Not sure of the drawing they had but it was one hell of a good looking sedan. It had a little Maserati flavor to the quarters and roof with a Buick nose and port holes.
Opel’s chief of strategy ; Thomas SEDAN? Is this an early April Fools Day article?
Did you take the R out of SedRan to make you a horfinator?
I think you made the same joke the previous time Mr. Sedran’s name was mentioned.
Many executives over here buy 5, A6, E class etc & their performance counterparts, also this class of car buyers tend to be very loyal (possibly why Cadillac struggles) & also as to why we need a new Omega & even Senator flagships.
Opel won’t bring a coupe version of the Cascada to the market because it would cannibalize the sales of the Astra GTC which is actually their coupe.
I’m okay with GM bringing that over as a entry level Buick of some sort to fill out their lineup. But if that’s their idea of a Riviera, GM better get used to being the second or third largest automaker.
My gut feeling is the dark days are behind GME & I’m expecting Vauxhall, Opel (some/all may go to US as Buick’s) to launch (this being the first of) a new Calibra, new Monaro, new Omega, a replacement VXR8 & Maloo & a new large SUV. Hope I’m right 😀
On the Internet there are many pictures of future possible Vauxhalls, Opel’s just not sure if genuine probably non are however there is a nice desirable 2dr Insignia (Regal) nicknamed Calibra.
Calibra needs to be Insignia based.
The VX220’s replacement the GT we never got here because it was LHD (and also fwd if I remember).
The GT was a totally flop in Europe. Opel/Vauxhall needs practical sports or luxuary cars with a strong image and higher sales figures. The Cascada is a good example and I am waiting for a new Calibra based on the Insignia. They had a great concept car called the GTC Concept.
GM needs to bring more Opel cars to the US whether imported or produced locally. The US and Canada do not have high duties like China, so an import of various Opel cars would pay off. What about Astra 5 door, Astra GTC, Astra Sports Tourer or Cascada?
You won’t be disappointed the Vauxhall & Opel brands produce excellent high quality cars at a higher end of the budget. Performance models VXR Vauxhall & OPC Opel are the quick ones, SRi (Vauxhall) reasonably quick.