Mazda Files for RX-8 Trademark
Mazda Motor Corp. is seeking a trademark for the name "RX-8", according to documents filed this month with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The application would retain Mazda's rights to use the name, though the documents do not detail for what purpose, other than the general legal boilerplate of "automobiles and structural parts thereof."
Car trademark filings take place for a variety of reasons, including to protect a name, protect it from similar naming schemes or even toys. Enthusiasts hope that a trademark portends a future product, though the filing is usually a mixed signal at best.
Still, Mazda has been teasing the return of some kind of an RX model for years, including showing off the Icon SP concept in 2024 with a 50-50 weight distribution with a dual-motor hybrid setup backed by a rotary engine. Mazda executives have spoken openly about the potential of the concept, though they have stopped short of an outright confirmation of the return of an RX sports car.
Beloved by Mazda fans, the RX-8 ran from 2003 to 2012 and succeeded the RX-7, which ran from 1978 to 2002.
Greg Migliore has covered the auto industry for two decades, most recently as editor-in-chief of Autoblog. He's also been an editor at Automobile and Autoweek. He's a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University and the Yale Publishing course. Greg is a member of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards jury.
More by Greg Migliore
Comments
Join the conversation