Whereas I used to be personally extra shocked by simply how good the Bronco Sport regarded, there’s no denying that Ford knocked it out of the park with the brand new Bronco. It’s a implausible design that integrates basic cues into its styling with out feeling almost as retro because the Chrysler PT Cruiser or Volkswagen New Beetle did. Nonetheless, there are many individuals who want the trendy Bronco regarded nearly precisely just like the previous one. Offering that service to clients, nonetheless, can be what simply received an organization known as Classic Broncos sued by Ford for trademark infringement.
Technically, Classic Broncos is now Classic Trendy, though its web site and social media profiles nonetheless use the Classic Broncos identify. And, whereas they provide restoration and restomod providers, additionally they give clients the choice to purchase what’s basically a contemporary Bronco with a brand new physique that makes it appear like, effectively, a classic Bronco. It additionally seems the corporate knew it was not less than in a authorized grey space with a few of its work as a result of the corporate description on the backside of the web page reads:
Classic Trendy, Inc. makes a speciality of creating modernized interpretations of basic vehicles. By integrating our personal custom-designed elements, we craft automobiles that seize the essence of basic automobiles. Classic Trendy has no sponsorship, affiliation, approval, or endorsement from any motor firm together with Ford Motor Firm. The names Ford® and Bronco® are emblems of Ford Motor Firm, and some other emblems talked about belong to their respective homeowners. References to those trademarked names or marks are solely for identification functions.
Classic Trendy automobiles ought to by no means be referred to or described as a “Classic Ford Bronco,” “Ford Bronco,” “Classic Trendy Ford Bronco,” or “Ford Classic Trendy Bronco.”
Whereas I typically don’t love an enormous company going after a small enterprise, sadly, firms have to guard their emblems, and it feels like Classic Broncos Trendy flew a bit too near the solar with its makes an attempt at artistic workarounds. It’s additionally unlikely that Ford jumped straight to submitting a doubtlessly costly lawsuit and possibly despatched not less than one stop and desist letter earlier than taking authorized motion. When requested for remark, a Ford spokesperson instructed the Drive:
Bronco is without doubt one of the most well-known and liked manufacturers on this planet. Classic Broncos’ unauthorized modifications and resale of contemporary Ford Broncos, reselling them as ‘classic’ is deceptive and unfairly earnings from Ford and Bronco model property that now we have spent a long time constructing. We have now an obligation to take all applicable steps to cease those that put clients in danger and trip on the coattails of Ford’s important funding and fame.
H/T: The Drive