Ferrari changes F150 name to avoid suing by Ford

Ferrari is changing the name of its F150 because of the lawsuit started by Ford because of a trademark infringement.

The Scuderia has decided to replace the abbreviated version of the 2011 single-seater by Ferrari F150th Italia in all areas where it operates, to quickly put an end to this issue.

After last year’s livery problem Ferrari is having once again problems with its car, this year with the name. Ford states that the Scuderia is using the name F150 “in order to capitalise on and profit from the substantial goodwill that Ford has developed in the F-150 trademark.”

Ford also points to the resemblance of both cars’ logos, as you can see in the picture.

What the American car maker requests are unspecified damages and that Ferrari is prohibited to use the trademark in the US.

Ferrari replied to Ford by saying that the F150 designation is the abbreviated version of the complete name, which is Ferrari 150th Italia. The Scuderia underlined that the name is not being used in any commercially available product, as it has always happened with the names from the F1 team. Ferrari also wrote to Ford saying that the names of these cars represent the nomenclature of a racing car project and are linked to a chronological order with a technical basis, or in exceptional cases, to special occasions.

In 2011 the F1 car name is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, an event of such great importance that the Italian government has declared, for this year only, a national holiday.