General Motor has filed an application to register the term AT4 as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), GM Authority has discovered.
The automaker’s November 12th, 2015 application has been assigned serial number 86818051 and specifies that the mark will be used to name “Motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles, sport utility vehicles, trucks, vans, engines therefor and structural parts thereof.”
The GM Authority Take
We’re not privy as to what plans GM has for the AT4 mark. However, AT4 seems like a name suited for a Cadillac vehicle, though we don’t think the mark will be used for a Caddy given that the brand’s vehicle naming scheme is centered about CT# for cars and XT# for crossovers. In addition, the USPTO doesn’t have an accompanying trademark for Cadillac AT4 just yet, which is normally co-filed with an alphanumeric name such as AT4.
So, what do you think GM will use the AT4 mark for? Talk to us in the comments.
Comments
That sounds like either a new Cadillac or Cadillacs AWD system
The AWD models will simply be called AWD going forward, as per here:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/09/cadillacs-new-naming-scheme-could-result-in-a-new-designation-for-all-wheel-drive-vehicles-opinion/
That leaves it being a Cadillac model, and if that’s the case, I’d go with roadster.
Cadillac roadster and/or convertible variant
That’s what I am thinking, andrew. A new vehicle line to represent roadsters.
I think that the coupes/convertibles could simply receive the CT# “coupe” and/or convertible designations. Cadillac could also go the route of simply “bumping” the number like Audi and now BMW are doing with the names of their coupes compared to sedans (4 Series is the coupe/convertible of the 3 Series, etc.).
AT4 sounds too similar to the new vehicle nomenclature to be the name of their AWD system. It would get confusing. My money would be on coupes and roadsters.
If the current ATS is renamed the CT4, I could see that the AT4 would be the coupe variant or possibly a new convertible variant.
I suspect it’s the new name for the successor to the ATS Coupe.
A2XX Small Car -> AT3 (though let’s be realistic folks, this is GM – so brace for D2XX or G2XX)
ATS Sedan -> AT5
ATS Coupe -> AT4
CTS Sedan -> CT5
CT6 -> CT6
XT5 -> XT5
Roadster -> XR2
The lone exception to that nomenclature is Escalade, which I doubt Cadillac will ever change for years to come.
I dislike the small SUV became known as XT5. It’s too close to XTS’s not-tarnished-but-not-stunning nameplate, and it also is too close to XLR/XR2/anything-cool-should-start-with-X. ST5 would have been much better, as that hasn’t been used since STS and the SUV/Crossover affinity would play better with ST* than XT*.
A few things to your comment, Christopher:
1. Sub-ATS vehicle(s) will NOT be D2 or G2… from everything we have heard so far, it will be on Alpha, or a successor RWD platform. This has been semi-confirmed and outright confirmed by GM staff and by Cadillac top brass. Here’s one example:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/01/cadillac-boss-de-nysschen-promises-a-rwd-sedan-slotted-below-ats-opinion-desk/
2. The sub-ATS vehicle(s) will carry the CT nomenclature, as will the rest of the non-SUV and non-UV lineup. The only exception to this could be the roadster(s).
3. Agree with your regarding Escalade naming. Keep the legend, legendary… but sales of it will likely continue to shrink whenever we come out of this “gas high”, while more desirable Cadillac crossovers arrive on scene.
4. Yes, this is “GM”. And so far, they have been the only American automaker to build luxury cars worthy of being uttered in the same sentence as the Germans (and some Lexus), and sometimes even be considered better. That said, after the XT5, Cadillac isn’t messing around… with the billions investment from GM and with the move to make the brand into a semi-autonomous division. And even if that were still the case, GM isn’t even the same GM it was 5 years ago… so I don’t think the “this is GM” statement is fair.
the even numbers should come first IN 2020 such as CT2, CT4, CT8,….. XT2, XT4, XT6……..and the odds such as CT3, CT5, CT7,… XT3, XT7. should come later….AFTER 2020.
You are incorrect with your even-odd naming guesses. The CT3 is the replacement for the ATS, and the CT5 is the replacement for the CTS. Both will arrive before 2020 as will the XT2 CUV, XT4 CUV, and XT7 SUV.
While I cannot, at this time, tell you what the AT4 nomenclature is for, I can tell you that you are correct to assume it is Cadillac…
Straying away from the Cadillac theme, I’m thinking more it being used on a new Jeep Wrangler competitor, perhaps a
GMC AT4, similar design to the old Hummer H4?….I dream big
I also think this is going to be a truck name. Likely then a GMC version of a ZR2 .
Linking it to hummer was the first thing that came to my mine!
When a company asks for a name plate like this one why don’t they have to explain what type of car/truck it’s going to be used for? Clearly GM has a idea or they wouldn’t be asking!
Could it be a GMC version of the Blazer the name they just found to be registered too.
GMC is looking to go more up scale a new name would suit them better than Jimmy.
Or could it be a Cadillac version of the Blazer something more in the GM wagon kind of way vs., cross over.
And no I am not double posting here. That is not me above.
Either coupe or convertible.
Or or or… Cadillac is outfitting anti-tank launchers to their vehicles.
Well lets look at this logically.
Cadillac has stated that all the cars are going to be CT and then a number. This from what I was told means Cadillac touring.
The CUV and SUV models will go with a XT for cross over touring accept the Escalade. To be honest is it not much of a cross over as a SUV Truck anyways.
Cadillac has all intents of dropping the A designation with the updates coming to the ATS. It will go away and become a CT4 or 5 or what ever number they chose here. I am banking on 4 with the CTS taking the CT5 slot.
AT is often listed as All Terrain. 4 often is associated with 4 wheel drive. This is something that is off road rated. GMC has stated they are looking at a Jeep competitor already. We know Chevy just listed the Blazer name again. Could there be a platform that could produce a Blazer and a more radical Jeep competitor for GMC?
GMC has tried to be the more subdued Hummer with the fender flairs and larger grills. Lets face it the Terrain looks like some kind of car that Hummer would have made for street use.
I am betting on some kind of trail rated GMC here. Be it a wrangler competitor or Cherokee.
Something on the Canyon platform would make a nice Cherokee killer. Also a Nice Blazer too.
At this point I would be shocked if this were for Cadillac. It just does not hold any logic to their numbering program when they are killing the ATS name.