Cuda nameplate registered by Stellantis, probably for concept cars

Stellantis re-up the trademark of the classic Muscle car nameplate.

On 4 May 30, the automaker applied to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a new trademark on the Cuda nameplate. The application covers "automobiles, i.e. concept motor vehicles," which suggests that the name may be used for new concept cars, even if Cuda does not come back as a production model.

Chrysler, the predecessor to Stellantis, applied the Cuda name to the sporty version of Plymouth Barracuda, the 1970 2nd generation that debuted. It was twins with the original Dodge Challenger, and the pair took the AMC Javelin in what was the height of the golden age of Ford Mustang, Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Muscle Car.

Available in a 426 cubic-inch Hemi V-8 and a racing-inspired AAR outfit with 440 6 packs, the Cuda has become a classic, with the most desirable version to sell for millions at auction.

The Plymouth brand was discontinued after the 2001 model Year, but it should not stop Stellantis from reusing the Cuda name. Plymouth Plowler lived briefly as a Chrysler after Plymouth's death. The automaker also repurposed the Voyager name, which was once used on Plymouth minivans for multiple incarnations of Chrysler-branded minivans.

However, it is also worth remembering that automakers sometimes re-up trademarks just to manage important nameplates from the back catalog. We also recently saw new trademarks for the Ford Thunderbird and Toyota Celica nameplates, but the plans for a new version of both models are not clearly indicated. Still, with the Dodge Challenger nameplate suspended, it's probably the turn of the cuda revival — at least in concept form.