GM Trademarks Opel Nameplates Calibra, Cascada in U.S.

by TTAC Staff

Published: January 7th, 2014

gm trademarks opel nameplates calibra cascada in u s

Opel Cascada

It’s being revealed that Opel registered the Calibra and Cascada names with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in December. While some have speculated from the fact that Opel was the registrant of record that General Motors is considering returning its European brand to the United States, more likely the use of Opel was to hide a possible plan by GM to use the nameplates on Buicks. When GM sold Opel’s Astra as a Saturn before shuttering that brand, Opel had been the registrant for that name as well. The automaker has the option of using any of its wholly owned subsidiaries to register trademarks for its use. The Opel Cascada is a two door, four seat convertible that shares a platform with Buick’s Verano and the Chevy Cruze. Calibra isn’t currently being used on an Opel product but in the 1990s Opel used it on a two door coupe version of the Opel Vectra. Of course, many trademarks that have been registered never end up on production vehicles, but the idea of giving Buick dealers a convertible and a coupe to sell isn’t unrealistic.

#Calibra #Cascada #GeneralMotors #Opel #Trademarks

TTAC Staff

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6 of 33 comments

Kyree on Jan 07, 2014

Damn. I wanted it to be called "Riviera".

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- Snakebit on Jan 07, 2014
  
  Well, I suppose that's only fair. If GM can name the Saturn Sky the Opel GT in Europe, then a Riviera convertible sort of evens the score.
  
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Bkmurph on Jan 07, 2014

Huh. Soon you'll be able to listen to Cascada (German dance music group) in your Cascada (convertible originating from Opel, GM's German subsidiary) in the U.S.

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- Kyree on Jan 07, 2014
  
  Ironically, Cascada means "waterfall" in Spanish, and it just so happens that Buick's current grille motif is called "the waterfall grille". So it was meant to be. As a side note, I must say that Opel's sudden design coherence is very Volkswagenesque. Previous schools of Opel design failed to impress and even spawned hideous stateside sycophants like the 2004-08 Malibu...
  
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Corey Lewis on Jan 09, 2014

I always did think the Calibra was a nice looking car, ever since I saw a Chris Goffey review on YouTube. http://imganuncios.mitula.net/calibra_16v_2_0_150cv_1995_97635882560738269.jpg

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Corey Lewis on Jan 09, 2014

Also might note that dude looks like a complete wanker while driving that thing.

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