Ferrari Luce faces legal challenge over name registered by Mazda. Ferrari faces a legal challenge over the name “Luce” for its new electric model.

Shadows fall over Ferrari’s new Luce, the model set to usher in the electric era of the Prancing Horse. Just weeks before its scheduled debut in May, Maranello is confronting a surprising legal issue originating from Japan, where the name “Luce” appears to be registered by Mazda.

Who came first?

According to recently surfaced documents, Mazda filed the trademark for “Luce” in Japan just weeks after Ferrari announced its new electric model. Many interpret this as a legal move to protect a name that is no longer actively used but carries historical significance for Mazda. The situation is complex: on one hand, timing could favor Ferrari, which reportedly registered the name in February, but on the other, “Luce” represents an important heritage for the Hiroshima-based automaker.

The Mazda Luce

The Mazda Luce was produced from 1966 to 1991, marketed in some regions as the RX4 and 929. It was a luxury sedan, also available in coupe and station wagon versions, with select models featuring the famous Wankel rotary engine. An interesting detail: the original Luce was born from a collaboration between Mazda and Bertone, but its design was created by Giorgetto Giugiaro while he was still working for the Turin-based design house.

The Mazda Vision Coupé Concept

More recently, the Mazda Luce directly inspired the Vision Coupé concept. The 2017 prototype drew clear inspiration from the 1969 Luce Rotary Coupé, showing that the “Luce” name continues to hold significant historical and brand value for Mazda, beyond just recalling a classic model.

History of naming disputes in the automotive sector

The automotive industry is no stranger to naming conflicts. Alfa Romeo, for instance, recently had to rename its compact SUV from Milano to Junior due to issues with “Made in Italy” rules. Other examples include different manufacturers using the same brand name, like “Continental,” which appears on models from both Bentley and Lincoln.

Legal battle, settlement, or last-minute rebranding?

If these reports are confirmed, Ferrari could face a tricky situation just weeks ahead of one of its most important global launches in recent years. There are three potential paths: a legal battle involving appeals and injunctions, a financial agreement with Mazda (possibly negotiating a royalty), or a dramatic last-minute rebranding of the new electric model.