Volkswagen Trademarks Some Unambitious Car Names

Volkswagen Group has been hyping its upcoming all-electric lineup for a while, with the Type 2-inspired Buzz Concept serving as an impromptu mascot for the company’s new I.D. brand. However, we had hoped VW would rename some of the concepts once production models hit the scene, maybe even tapping into its heritage. While the I.D. Buzz, Crozz, and Vizzion provide a cohesive naming strategy, we’ve heard better automotive handles before.

It seems as if the automaker is inclined to agree. Unfortunately, rather than come up with a new set of names, Volkswagen appears to be trademarking a series of alphanumeric titles. We’re not going to pretend that VW has the best-named lineup in the industry but it would have been nice to see them try something new, rather than fall into the same trap nearly every other premium nameplate and EV manufacturer has.

According to the Volkswagen enthusiast website VW Vortex, the German automaker trademarked the names “I.D. 1” through “I.D. 9” with the European Union Intellectual Property Office last week. While this doesn’t guarantee that’s what the company will be calling its electric models, it certainly makes it extremely likely.

It also matches the industry trend. Premium German brands have been using alphanumeric designations for ages, followed by high-end Japanese nameplates, American luxury brands, and practically every EV company in existence. Tesla and Byton separate their electrified models by a single letter while Lynk & Co, Polestar, BMW, and more simply use numbers. I.D. appears as though it will be no different.

However, there is still a chance for Volkswagen to do a clever tie in with its own history. VW Vortex noted that I.D. could mate the body styles to Volkswagen’s original Type 1 (Beetle), Type 2 (Bus), and Type 3 (Squareback) to their electric counterparts and use corresponding names. For example, the Microbus-inspired I.D. Buzz could be renamed the I.D. 2. We’d like that but are less certain it would stir up the general public, as it still gives off this vague by-robots-for-robots feeling.

We’ll probably know the direction Volkswagen Group intends to take soon. I.D. production is scheduled to begin in 2019, with the Crozz (or whatever number VW calls it) set to arrive inside North America by 2020.

[Image: Volkswagen]