Ford Trademarks Skyline for Future Model, Nissan Can’t be Pleased
Ford pulls one over on Nissan in the U.S. by trademarking Skyline, but will we actually see the name on a vehicle?
The name “Skyline” has long been synonymous with Nissan, as that model has been in production since 1957 – a full decade before Nissan merged with Prince Motor Company and absorbed the vehicle into its lineup. In the decades since, the Skyline has evolved tremendously and has gained in popularity with automotive fans around the world, many of whom import them into America. Thus, given how important the model is to Nissan, we can’t imagine the automaker is happy to hear that Ford has trademarked the Skyline name in the U.S.
But that’s exactly what happened, as Ford Motor Company submitted a trademark application for the Skyline name to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office back on July 12, 2021, as Ford Authority was the first to discover. Even better, it was filed under the Goods and Services category for “Motor land vehicles, namely, SUVs, trucks, and automobiles.”
As most are aware, Ford has never used the name on any model it has produced in the past, but it came close with the Skyliner moniker that graced a number of vehicles in the 1950s, including the Galaxie, Fairlane Crown Victoria, Crestline, and Fairlane 500. A Ford Transit-based concept also wore the Skyliner name a few years ago.
While the Nissan Skyline has never been sold in the U.S., we have been able to come pretty close to it with the Infiniti G35/G37/Q50. Perhaps Ford realized that Nissan wasn’t planning on ever bringing this model to the U.S., so it figured it would scoop it the name for itself. And thus, we’re left wondering if the automaker might actually use the moniker, or if this is merely a strategic poke in the eye.
To us, at least, Ford Mustang Skyliner has a nice ring to it. This could be some sort of special package, perhaps a more luxurious or grand touring version of the Blue Oval’s pony car designed for longer-distance driving. That sort of thing would probably resonate with a lot of potential buyers but at the same time, serve as a source of chagrin for Nissan, which might be regretting not trademarking the name in the U.S.
Photos: Ford, Nissan
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