However, it doesn’t slip off your tongue.
An Ford trademark filing is raising eyebrows. The filing was first discovered by Ford Authority on June 3, 2012. It lists Ford as the original filer of the “Outfitters trademark.” It is unclear what this filing is about, but we can see the application for more information. The filing states that it is for “Motor Vehicles”, which could mean automobiles, pick up trucks, electric vehicles and sport utility vehicles. It also indicates that Dearborn could use the name for a separate model or a trim.
Ford has been the subject of a lot of patent and trademark filings in recent years. Many of these, including Adrenaline, Bronco Outer Banks and Adrenaline feel like they are direct results of Ford’s push to crossovers and SUVs. This is especially true for the Bronco and its smaller sibling. Ford Outfitters won’t use the name as a model name. Ford Authority suggested that Ford Explorer Outfitters might be an option, but again, it doesn’t sound very appealing.
Ford could also file the trademark to protect intellectual property that will never be used in production. This is something automakers do quite often. They can take it away from another company or automaker if they don’t. Ford did the same with the Black Diamond trademark, which was once used for the Chevy Avalanche.
Ford could use Outfitters’ name on many products. However, it is a bit long and confusing to put the “s” after the “s”. Ford is moving forward with the Bronco off-road vehicle, and Outfitters’ name could be used in endless ways. It sounds like a name that would suit an adventure. We’ll just have to wait to see.