Ford not interested in launching a car under Splash brand

Auto major Ford on Wednesday was quoted saying that it had no plans to introduce a car under the brand, 'Splash' despite registering this brand in India. On August 16, 2002, Ford had registered the name 'Splash' with the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks Registry. It was due to the registration of this brand name that Suzuki had to change its global hatchback with the same name to a new name, 'Ritz' for selling in the country. Michael Boneham, Ford India President and Managing Director, commented that they are not expected to use the name Splash because they are going to use global names as the company moves forward in India.

Later on, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, had even approached the trademarks authorities for introducing its fifth global model 'Splash' in India through its subsidiary Maruti Suzuki India (MSI). Suzuki had applied for the trademark registration on December 22, 2005 which was eventually withdrawn. When Boneham was asked about the reason behind the company's decision of not using 'Splash' in India, he said that Ford intends to use global names here rather than specific names for one country.

Boneham, however, did not comment about whether Ford India would withdraw the name from the authorities. At the time of launching 'Ritz', Suzuki had said that the company could not bring in the car as 'Splash' as it was already registered with an automobile company in India. As a result, Maruti Suzuki India launched the global car in India with the name 'Ritz' last year.