FCA Re-Ups the Barracuda Trademark, Could a Resurrection be in the Works?

1972 Plymouth Barracuda (Credit: © Dave_7 Via Flikr)

It’s time to open this can of worms again, as FCA has just trademarked the “Barracuda” name once again. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, FCA filed for the trademark on June 23rd, 2015, but does this mean that a new Barracuda is in the works?

While I would love to think that FCA is hard at work creating a new Barracuda, I cannot think of a scenario where it could release this model without upsetting fans of the original `Cuda.

The most popular rumor floating around now stems from FCA’s five-year plan. Under this plan, the auto group will replace the current Challenger in 2018. There is no mention of whether this will be in the form of a new Challenger or a new model altogether. The rumor is that the Barracuda would be the car that replaces the Challenger in 2018.

While I respect the opinions of those who think this, the name “Dodge Barracuda” just doesn’t sound right and almost devalues the Plymouth Barracuda of yesteryear.

Another rumor gaining steam is that the “Barracuda” name would become a trim level or the name of a special package for the Challenger. Again, this is not the right way to use such an iconic name from Chrysler’s past. It’d be like Chevy slapping the “Chevelle” name on a special edition 2015 Malibu; it would just tick people off.

Here’s my take on the new trademark… It means precisely nothing! Automakers constantly renew old trademarks to prevent other brands from stealing them. The rules of trademarking names are so easy to circumvent in the U.S. that this is a very common practice, despite the need to prove that you actually intend to use the name.

Sorry for those of you who were looking forward to a resurrection of the `Cuda, I just don’t see it happening any time soon, unless FCA breathes new life into the long-dead Plymouth brand.