Earlier this year we reported that a production version of the Chevrolet Bolt EV would hit dealerships sometime in 2017. While production is still on schedule, the automaker might need a new name for their upcoming ride.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has suspended General Motor's application to register the Bolt name since they believe there is a legitimate chance car buyers will confuse the EV with another vehicle, according to Green Car Reports.
So what brand is causing GM all this trouble? Yamaha.
Back in 2012, the motorcycle company was granted a U.S. federal trademark registration for the name "Bolt" and the trademark has received the serial number 85699282.
The latest 2015 Yahama Bolt motorcycle was released last summer and can be had for under $8,000.
GM filed its own trademark application for the Bolt name to use for a Chevy EV in 2014, or two years after Yamaha and a year after the company released its first Bolt motorcycle. Since Yamaha beat the automaker to the punch, GM's application will be suspended until Yamaha's application is "either registered or abandoned," the USPTO said to Green Car Reports.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV was on hand during the 2015 Detroit Auto Show this year, and GM has already announced production will begin during the second half of 2016.
We don't expect the name issue to affect production plans, so the vehicle could still be sold for around $30,000 as a 2018 model year option.
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