In the middle of December 2013, Opel Special Vehicles GmbH LLC has filed trademark applications with the Untied States Patent & Trademark Office for the names Cascada and Calibra. The filings don’t appear to be for the purpose of selling shirts, either, as the trademark applications reference the goods and services category of “motor land passenger vehicles, namely, automobiles.”
At most, this could point towards more much-needed product for the Buick brand. However, while it’s obvious that Buick will be expanding its lineup over time with new products, the fact that Opel (rather than General Motors LLC) is filing the trademarks apps is eyebrow-raising. What’s even more intriguing is that the Cascada is not available in North America, but is available in Europe — essentially being a drop-top Astra, but the Calibra is a name that’s currently not in use by Opel or any other GM brands, and hasn’t been since 1997, when it identified a midsize coupe from Opel-Vauxhall. However, it has been rumored that Opel will resurrect the name for an Insignia coupe.
Stay tuned as we consult with our trademark attorney friends and get to the bottom of why Opel is applying for trademark rights here in the U.S. of A.
Update: we’ve gotten to the bottom of this. Here’s what’s really going on.
Comments
A Regal coupe/convertible to compete with the Infiniti Q60?
could also re-do the Opel Astra Coupe – coupe buick verano
In my opinion this is going to be a make it or break it move for Opel.
Opel can argue that it is using the brand internationally. If even one marketing reference in a GM press release lands, Opel can assert rights.
Really, this is to help GM lock up as many brands internationally as possible. Imagine if Holden had trademarked Evoke with the USPTO. Wouldn’t surprise me if Dodge has trademarked Citadel in Europe either.