GM Trademarks GNX, Grand National Monikers

[nsap]

Will Buick up its modern day performance image even further?
www.GMInsideNews.com
June 4, 2012
By: Nick Saporito

Just a few weeks ago it was discovered that General Motors has reapplied for the trademark on Buick's coveted Riviera nameplate. Now two additional historic Buick monikers have been applied for with the U.S. trademark office; GNX and Grand National. The two nameplates were utilized on Buick's performance models decades ago, but have been in rest since the late 1980's.

According to the U.S. trademark office, GM filed for the GNX and Grand National trademarks just a few days ago on May 30th. There are two listings for each name, one listing which states the usage will be on floor mats, likely for accessories for GNX and Grand National's of the past. The other record designates each nameplate for use on motor vehicles, namely automobiles. As with the Riviera trademark, these trademark filings do not suggest that performance clad Buick's are in the near future, though it does validate that the brand is not throwing out the idea of beefing it's performance image.

Buick reentered the enthusiast vehicle market about a year ago with the 2012 Regal GS. The manual transmission, turbo four cylinder has been well respected for its dynamics, though hard core enthusiasts always want more. Historically GNX and Grand National have been at the top of the performance food chain at the Buick, while GS was a more muted, sporty trim level.

As of today GMI has not heard any solid rumors of a GNX or Grand National, though that does not mean that there aren't any on the table. Nonetheless, we found it a bit interesting that GM has trademarked more historical Buick names and thought we should pass it on.

[Cobaltss_King]

We can only hope and pray.

[nadepalma]

Wow, that is interesting.

Could we see the new Chevy SS Performance Sedan get a two-door sibling that would revive the Grand National moniker? That could make some sense, especially if they eventually would want to shift the SS Sedan (and future Caprice production) to the US eventually as it would build economies of scale.

I wonder if GNX would be applied only to some future Grand National or if it would become some sort of "super trim level" above the GS?

[Quixote88]

Thanks for the update, Nick.

But GM did this simply to keep anyone else from using those designations, and for merchandising their old lines.

It would be cool, but we're not going to see a "new" GNX or Grand National built any time soon (though I am hearing rumblings of an Alpha Buick from within GM)...

[TechnoAura]

Very interesting. Thank you for posting, Nick.

[nsap]

Thanks for the update, Nick.

But GM did this simply to keep anyone else from using those designations, and for merchandising their old lines.

It would be cool, but we're not going to see a "new" GNX or Grand National built any time soon (though I am hearing rumblings of an Alpha Buick from within GM)...

I initially thought that too, but there are two filings. One for merchandise, one for automobiles.

[PHAT-JAY]

Hey I am fine with using the GNX, or Grand national names, but it needs to be RWD or AWD coupe only....

[zl-1]

I initially thought that too, but there are two filings. One for merchandise, one for automobiles.

For both names?

[nsap]

For both names?

Yes. Two for each name.

I mean, why designate the usage for "motor land vehicles" if you don't intend on using it for anything other than merchandise?

[Quixote88]

I initially thought that too, but there are two filings. One for merchandise, one for automobiles.

Right, one for automobiles, so no one else can use the designations, and
one for merchandise for their old GNX/Grand National accessories, t-shirts, etc....

It would hurt their merchandising efforts if another brand used "Grand National" or "GNX" on a new model, so GM trademarked the name so no one else could use it...

[63GrandSport001]

I don't think that Buick will get a two door Zeta, I think to think that is not being realistic.

There is only one two door Zeta product in production currently and its the Camaro. There was no Holden Monaro for this generation of car, I don't see GM developing any other two door on this Zeta platform.

You really have to look at what is most likely, and what can be done the easiest. My first guest would be a AWD version of the Buick Regal GS with a more powerful engine. Maybe the 3.0L twin turbo engine that GM has been developing or the 3.6L version of that engine. A TT 3.6L engine producing around 425BHP in the Regal with AWD I think would make a fun car. OR lets say 375BHP 3.0L TT engine would also make for a fun car to drive.

I can also see GM wanting to have more then just the Camaro and ATS (only two confirmed) cars on the Alpha platform. The work is already being done on a 2 door version of the Alpha platform so really just change the styling up a bit. I think that this would also make a ton of sense and be true to the car from the 1980s. A 425BHP 3.6L TT (or expand it out to 3.8L and produce something like 450BHP) in a RWD 2 door coupe.

[nsap]

Right, one for automobiles, so no one else can use the designations, and
one for merchandise for their old GNX/Grand National accessories, t-shirts, etc....

It would hurt their merchandising efforts if another brand used "Grand National" or "GNX" on a new model, so GM trademarked the name so no one else could use it...

Historically they have not done this. Don't you have to use a trademark for its usage or "lose it?"

[CaddyLac10]

At the very least, this vehicle - The Opel GTC Concept - could wear this moniker. TT and AWD would make it real performance machine. I would consider it Buick's Audi S5.

2007-Opel-GTC-Concept-Side-1280x960.jpg

[Chaz_23]

Sounds promising. Just don't let it sit on some ugly Epsilon platform. Not even Zeta makes for impressive looking cars.

[American_Muscle]

SS, GNX, Grand National? GM just may have remembered where they left their balls. This could get real good real soon