GM Files To Trademark ‘Vehicle Intelligent Platform (VIP)’

General Motors has filed to trademark the term “Vehicle Intelligent Platform (VIP)”, GM Authority has uncovered.

As of this writing, the Detroit-based automaker has filed the applications in the United States, Canada and Uruguay. The Canadian application was filed on February 27^th, 2020 while the Uruguay application was filed on March 2^nd, 2020.

The Goods and Services category for both filings is listed as:

Software including security software and vehicle operating system software, apparatus for transmitting data, computer hardware, telecommunication apparatus and instruments; microprocessors; apparatus and instruments for controlling and monitoring vehicles; navigation apparatus for vehicles; wirelessly connected electric battery apparatus

The GM Authority Take

GM’s pursuit of the Vehicle Intelligent Platform (VIP) moniker is interesting, as it indicates a desire by the automaker to utilize the terminology in a public-facing fashion. Exactly what feature and/or technology the term could describe is unclear.

However, based on the Goods and Services category description, it would appear that the term is meant for something related to an advanced in-vehicle technology piece. Perhaps “Vehicle Intelligent Platform” name will come to represent GM’s public-facing brand for its Global B electrical vehicle system.

Debuting on the 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan and 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8, the Global B Digital Vehicle Platform will have rolled out to most vehicles within GM’s global lineup by 2023. The technology powers an electronic system that’s capable of managing up to 4.5 terabytes of data processing power per hour, a fivefold increase in capability over GM’s current electrical architecture, called Global A.

In addition, Global B provides more rapid communications within the vehicle itself and to outside sources thanks to Ethernet connections of 100Mbps, 1Gbps, and 10Gbps. One of the more prominent user-facing benefits is the ability to perform smartphone-like over-the-air software updates, while also enabling compatibility with GM’s all-new electric vehicle range.

Some might note that VIP – the acronym formed by Vehicle Intelligent Platform moniker – is rather unfortunate, and might lead to some confusion. The branding for the electrical architecture could simply have been called “Intelligent Vehicle Platform”, or IVP.

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