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]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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...eugh.
I like names but after "Tiguan" and "Routan" I think VW's doing the right thing. Otherwise, they will try to mash up every other word in the dictionary. No thanks.