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.

from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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