UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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SERIAL NO: 76/424334
APPLICANT: Dawn Enterprises, Inc.
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CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS: KENNETH L. MITCHELL WOODLING, KROST & RUST 9213 CHILLICOTHE RD KIRTLAND, OH 44094
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RETURN ADDRESS: Commissioner for Trademarks 2900 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202-3513 ecom114@uspto.gov
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MARK: CHROMSTYLE
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CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO: 8100
CORRESPONDENT EMAIL ADDRESS:
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Please provide in all correspondence:
1. Filing date, serial number, mark and applicant's name. 2. Date of this Office Action. 3. Examining Attorney's name and Law Office number. 4. Your telephone number and e-mail address.
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Serial Number 76/424334
This letter responds to the applicant’s communication filed on January 30, 2002. The applicant (1) amended the identification of goods and (2) argued against the section 2(e)(1) refusal. No. 1 is accepted and made part of the record. The examining attorney has considered the applicant's arguments carefully but has found them unpersuasive. For the reasons below, the refusal under Section 2(e)(1) is maintained and made FINAL.
In the Office Action of November 15, 2002, the examining attorney refused registration under Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. Section 1052(e)(1), because the subject matter for which registration is sought is merely descriptive of the identified goods.
The applicant applied to register the mark “CHROMSTYLE” for “brake lights for vehicles”. The applicant’s mark is merely descriptive because it immediately identifies a feature and characteristic in that it tells purchasers that the goods are made of a chrome style plating. The term, CHROM, is merely the novel spelling for CHROME. If a term is merely descriptive, a novel spelling of the term is also merely descriptive if purchasers would perceive the different spelling as the equivalent of the descriptive term. Clarke v. K‑Mart, 473 F. Supp. 1299, 205 USPQ 1237 (W.D. Pa. 1980); In re State Chemical Mfg. Co., 225 USPQ 687 (TTAB 1985); In re H.U.D.D.L.E., 216 USPQ 358 (TTAB 1982). TMEP §1209.03(j).
A mark is merely descriptive under Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. §1052(e)(1), if it describes an ingredient, quality, characteristic, function, feature, purpose or use of the relevant goods. In re Gyulay, 820 F.2d 1216, 3 USPQ2d 1009 (Fed. Cir. 1987); In re Bed & Breakfast Registry, 791 F.2d 157, 229 USPQ 818 (Fed. Cir. 1986); In re MetPath Inc., 223 USPQ 88 (TTAB 1984); In re Bright‑Crest, Ltd., 204 USPQ 591 (TTAB 1979); TMEP §1209.01(b). It is not necessary that a term describe all of the purposes, functions, characteristics or features of the goods to be merely descriptive. It is enough if the term describes one attribute of the goods. In re H.U.D.D.L.E., 216 USPQ 358 (TTAB 1982); In re MBAssociates, 180 USPQ 338 (TTAB 1973). TMEP §1209.01(b).
As stated in the previouse Office Action, the definition of the terms, CHROME and STYLE, are as follows:
chrome (krom) noun
1. a. Chromium or a chromium alloy. b. Something plated with a chromium alloy.
2. A pigment containing chromium.
verb, transitive
chromed, chrom·ing, chromes
1. To plate with chromium.
2. To tan or dye with a chromium compound.
[French, from Greek khroma, color (from the brilliant colors of chromium compounds).][1]
style (stìl) noun
1. The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed: a style of speech and writing.
2. The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.
3. Sort; type: a style of furniture.
4. A quality of imagination and individuality expressed in one's actions and tastes: does things with style.
5. a. A comfortable and elegant mode of existence: living in style. b. A mode of living: the style of the very rich.
6. a. The fashion of the moment, especially of dress; vogue. b. A particular fashion: the style of the 1920's. See synonyms at fashion.
7. A customary manner of presenting printed material, including usage, punctuation, spelling, typography, and arrangement.
8. A form of address; a title.
9. a. An implement used for etching or engraving. b. A slender, pointed writing instrument used by the ancients on wax tablets.
10. The needle of a phonograph.
11. The gnomon of a sundial.
12. Botany. The usually slender part of a pistil, situated between the ovary and the stigma.
13. Zoology. A slender, tubular, or bristlelike process: a cartilaginous style.
14. Medicine. A surgical probing instrument; a stylet.
15. Obsolete. A pen.
verb, transitive
styled, styl·ing, styles
1. To call or name; designate: George VI styled his brother Duke of Windsor.
2. To make consistent with rules of style: style a manuscript.
3. To give style to: style hair.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin stylus, stilus, spike, pointed
instrument used for writing, style. See stylus.]
Therefore, the goods are merely descriptive because it is made of chrome style plating
The applicant argued that in joining the two descriptive terms, the mark is not descriptive. A mark which combines descriptive terms may be registrable if the composite creates a unitary mark with a separate, nondescriptive meaning. In re Ampco Foods, Inc., 227 USPQ 331 (TTAB 1985). It is also true, however, that the mere combination of the descriptive words does not automatically create a nondescriptive new term. The combination of descriptive words may also result in nothing more than the combination of descriptive words. In re IBP, Inc., 228 USPQ 303 (TTAB 1985); In re Wink Corp., 218 USPQ 739 (TTAB 1983); In re Quik-Print Copy Shop, Inc., 205 USPQ 505 (CCPA 1980). Therefore, the only issue at hand is whether the composite creates a unitary mark with a separate nondescriptive meaning.
The registration of a term created by combining two or more unregistrable words depends on whether in combination, a new and different commercial impression is created, and/or the term so created imparts a bizarre or incongruous meaning as used in connection with the goods or services. In re Associated Theatre Clubs Co., 9 USPQ2d 1660 (TTAB 1988); In re Metcal Inc., USPQ2d 1334 (TTAB 1986); In re Quik-Print Copy Shop, Inc., 205 USPQ 505 (CCPA 1980). Where the combination of descriptive words creates no incongruity, and no imagination is required to understand the nature of the goods or services, the mark remains merely descriptive. In re Associated Theatre Clubs Co., 9 USPQ2d 1660 (TTAB 1988); In re Orleans Wines, Ltd., 196 USPQ 516 (TTAB 1977); In re Scholastic Testing Service, Inc., 196 USPQ 517 (TTAB 1977).
In this case, there is no incongruity, and no imagination is needed to determine the exact nature of the goods. The examining attorney must consider whether a mark is merely descriptive in relation to the identified goods, not in the abstract. In re Omaha National Corp., 819 F.2d 1117, 2 USPQ2d 1859 (Fed. Cir. 1987); In re Abcor Development Corp., 588 F.2d 811, 200 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1978); In re Venture Lending Associates, 226 USPQ 285 (TTAB 1985).
The examining attorney refers to the excerpted articles from the examining attorney’s search in a computerized data base. It is clear from the evidence that vehicle parts are made of chrome, namely vehicle lights. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has held that materials obtained through computerized text searching are competent evidence to show the descriptive use of terms under Trademark Act Section 2(e)(1), 15 U.S.C. Section 1052(e)(1). In re National Data Corp., 222 USPQ 515, 517 n.3 (TTAB 1984). See attachments.
Accordingly, the mark is refused registration on the Principal Register under Section 2(e)(1). The refusal to register the mark under Section 2(e)(1) is continued and made FINAL.
Please note that the only appropriate responses to a final action are either (1) compliance with the outstanding requirements, if feasible, or (2) filing of an appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. 37 C.F.R. §2.64(a). If the applicant fails to respond within six months of the mailing date of this refusal, this Office will declare the application abandoned. 37 C.F.R. §2.65(a).
/William T. Verhosek/
Examining Atty/LO 114
703-308-9114x142
(Off fax) 703-746-8114
(Off email) ecom114@uspto.gov
How to respond to this Office Action:
To respond formally using the Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), visit http://www.gov.uspto.report/teas/index.html and follow the instructions.
To respond formally via E-mail, visit http://www.gov.uspto.report/web/trademarks/tmelecresp.htm and follow the instructions.
To respond formally via regular mail, your response should be sent to the mailing Return Address listed above and include the serial number, law office and examining attorney’s name on the upper right corner of each page of your response.
FOR INQUIRIES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OFFICE ACTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE ASSIGNED EXAMINING ATTORNEY.
MAIL-IT REQUESTED: FEBRUARY 24, 2003 10083K
CLIENT: DAWN ENTERPRISES, INC.
LIBRARY: NEWS
FILE: US
YOUR SEARCH REQUEST AT THE TIME THIS MAIL-IT WAS REQUESTED:
CHROME /1 STYLE AND (VEHICLE OR AUTO! OR CAR)
NUMBER OF STORIES FOUND WITH YOUR REQUEST THROUGH:
LEVEL 1... 44
LEVEL 1 PRINTED
THE SELECTED STORY NUMBERS:
5,7-8,11,13,19-20,25,27
DISPLAY FORMAT: SKWIC
SEND TO: VERHOSEK, BILL
TRADEMARK LAW LIBRARY
2101 CRYSTAL PLAZA ARC
MAIL BOX 3104
ARLINGTON VIRGINIA 22202-4600
**********************************00437***************************
Copyright 2002 The Bismarck Tribune,
a division of Lee Enterprises, Inc.
The Bismarck Tribune
September 17, 2002, Tuesday, METRO EDITION
SECTION: Pg. 1C
LENGTH: 424 words
HEADLINE: Chrome & Style
BYLINE: Tom Stromme
BODY:
When Tom Huber reflects on nearly 23 years as a founding member of the Classtiques Car Club, he sees lots of good times and lots of cruising. Huber was the first president of the Classtiques and today is the sole charter member of the club that limits its membership to 30.
He says it's worked out well for the ...
For the past 10 years the Classtiques have become a Wednesday night attraction at Scotty's Drive-In on east Broadway Avenue in Bismarck, where car enthusiasts gather for Cruise Night from May through October. A love of custom cars is the draw, but it's also about reminiscing about the good old days.
For Huber, Scotty's is a sentimental place. His first job was flipping burgers there but now it's where he spends one night a week talking cars. When the idea of forming a car club was first talked about, its initial name was Prairie Chariots.
That only lasted a month until member Dale Nordstrom suggested Classtiques. The name stuck and so has Huber.
Another club member, Larry Larson, says Cruise Night draws 25-35 cars each week, with an estimated 100 people stopping to look at the cars lined up at the drive-in like a scene from American Graffiti.
Club members sell chances to win Scotty's combo meals each week, with proceeds going towards the local Cystic Fibrosis association. The Classtiques also support the Bismarck Emergency Food Pantry.
'This is what we do,' said Larson while looking over the cars ranging in styles from a Model A Ford to a Dodge muscle car. 'And we'll keep doing this until it's too chilly out or the snow flies.'
When winter does come, the cars get garaged or put in shops to be shined and pampered, Huber said.
'It's kind of nice to have the winter to build a car,' he said. For people wanting to own a custom car, Huber says there are two ways to go. The first is to do everything on your own. 'You could probably build a car for $15,000,' he said, 'and that's if you do 99.9 percent of the work yourself.' The other route is to have the work done for you, and that could cost up to $50,000 he said.
But before old man winter comes around there's one more show for local hot rodders. On Saturday, the Pioneer Auto Club of Bismarck-Mandan is sponsoring the Acres of Iron, a free car show at RiverWood RV Sales on the Strip in Mandan. The show is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first 100 cars entered receive dash plaques.
Cutline: Tom Stromme
5 photos
SUBJECT: AUTOMOTIVE SALES (78%);
ORGANIZATION: CLASSTIQUES CAR CLUB (93%);
COMPANY: CLASSTIQUES CAR CLUB (93%);
Copyright 2002 Paddock Publications, Inc.
Chicago Daily Herald
June 17, 2002, Monday Lake
SECTION: AUTO PLUS;
Nuts and bolts;
Pg. 1
LENGTH: 551 words
HEADLINE: Toyota in the game with full-size Tundra
BYLINE: Dave Boe
BODY:
... cab with 6-cylinder engine and manual transmission checks in at $14,938.
Tundra remains virtually unchanged from 2001, save for the Limited editions offering more standard equipment than before and optional chrome style steel wheels with a satin finish center cap in SR5 editions.
Tundra gets high marks for quiet and efficient engines, a trademark of Japan's largest automaker. It's also fairly agile and very maneuverable for such a large truck. Suspension enhancements allow Tundra to glide over uneven railroad tracks, pot holes and other road imperfections better than most rivals. The four-speed automatic transmission in our test model shifted very smoothly.
For those opting for the larger cabin, front doors must be opened before rear Access doors (with inside and outside handles) can swing out. ...
... outside, which opens up a large entry way with the front ones ajar. Leg room is tight in back for full-sized adults.
Toyota assembles Tundra and other large SUV vehicles at a relatively new assembly compound in the rural southern Indiana town of Princeton which opened in the late 1990s. The compound is capable of churning out 150,000 vehicles per year and employs more than 2,000 workers.
High five
The five top-selling vehicles in the United States through May of this year are:
1. Ford F-Series pickup
2. Chevrolet Silverado pickup
3. Toyota Camry
4. Dodge Ram pickup
5. Ford Explorer ...
SUBJECT: AUTOMAKERS (90%); AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY (90%); AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT (78%);
Copyright 2002 The Tennessean
All Rights Reserved
The Tennessean
May 13, 2002 Monday 1st Edition
SECTION: BUSINESS; Steering Column; Pg. 1E
LENGTH: 710 words
HEADLINE: Vibe offers young drivers reason to buy Pontiac
BYLINE: BETH STEIN
BODY:
By BETH STEIN
It's not often you can turn one vehicle into a two-part series, but that's effectively what I'm doing here.
Last week, I reviewed the hot, new 2003 Matrix, Toyota's Corolla-based CUV - "crossover utility vehicle." This week, I follow up with Pontiac's clone of the Matrix, the hot new 2003 Vibe. Which thankfully spares us yet another catchy acronym.
My reason for two separate reviews on these vehicles that were developed together and share much of the same hardware is they represent important entries to both lineups, especially Pontiac's.
This Vibe is the freshest idea Pontiac has seen in awhile. It's aimed at the young buyer and ...
... GT. It's tuned to produce 180 horses and 130 foot-pounds of torque. The GT also sports stiffer suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and a six-speed manual transmission, although an automatic is optional.
While the Vibe GT may not feel exactly like a Celica GT, it gets right on out there with a zero to 60 estimated in the 8.5-second range. Considering all its utility points (discussed below), that's pretty cool.
Inside, the Vibe seats five in style, with chrome-ringed gauges and faux brushed-aluminum trim. It looks very tech.
It also works. The Vibe, with its 57 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seatbacks folded forward, competes well with compact sport ...
... all standard. All the other equipment appears to be comparable.
But I still like the Vibe a lot. I am sorry I have yet to drive a more basic model of either of these vehicles- because that would be more telling. What I have driven, however, has been responsive, accommodating, good-looking and affordable.
The Vibe has character and versatility at a good price, elements that should capture the intended youth market and even appeal to a few, ...
... think Pontiac is in for a good ride here.
Beth Stein's reviews appear Mondays in The Tennessean. She can be reached at steincol£aol.com and also can be seen weekends on TNN's Car & Driver Television.
The 2003 Pontiac Vibe a sport-utility-like compact assembled in California, is built on the samw Toyota Corolla chassis as the Vibe's sibling, the new Toyota Matrix
SUBJECT: MOTOR VEHICLES (90%);
Copyright 2001 Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
Chicago Sun-Times
June 01, 2001, FRIDAY, Late Sports Final Edition
SECTION: AUTO TIMES; Pg. 1
LENGTH: 912 words
HEADLINE: Mama Mia Miata ;
Mazda's 2001 model even better than original
BYLINE: Dan Jedlicka
BODY:
... driving fun. Added horsepower. More solid.
Dislikes:
Snug interior. Marginal cargo room. Noisy. No standard anti-lock brakes.
Mazda probably could have kept selling its 2000 Miata sports car without changes for another year or so because even the original 1990 Miata still is a blast to drive.
... larger brakes, new rear-combination lights and a front end with a revised grille opening and larger headlights.
While the slick Miata keeps its basic styling, Mazda felt compelled to improve the car partly because Toyota has entered the low-priced sports car market with its $23,585 MR2 Spyder.
The nicely equipped Miata comes as a base $21,180 model, with standard items such as air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, AM/FM/CD player and rear defogger. The $...
... entry, limited-slip differential and wider 16-inch (vs. 15-inch) wheels.
New for spring is a $25,715 Special Edition model with BRG (British Racing Green) paint and such sports car items such as a wood steering wheel. Only 3,000 of these models are being offered.
The 1990 Miata prompted automakers from BMW to Porsche to introduce new cars for the then-faltering U.S. sports car market. Mostly, the Miata revived the market for small, low-cost sports cars in this country, once dominated by 1950s and 1960s British sports cars such as the MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey.
With nostalgia on its side, the previous BRG Miata Special Edition sold out in 90 days -- making it one of the fastest selling special models ever.
The first ...
... a picture of reliability.
Some feel Toyota's MR2 Spyder has a leg up because of its race-style mid-engine design, with the engine nestled behind the seats. But others favor the classic sports car feel of the rear-wheel-drive Miata.
Besides the BRG paint, the Special Edition has a six-speed manual transmission (a $650 option for the LS), classy Nardi wood steering wheel and shifter knob and tan cloth-look vinyl convertible top. It also has a race-car-style chrome plated aluminum fuel door, 16-inch polished alloy wheels, wood center console trim and Special Editon badging and floormats.
The 2001 Miata's 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine was given ...
... horsepower and slightly more torque.
Both the 2000 and new Miata are quick, hitting 60 mph in about eight seconds. But the 2001 model more mid-range punch, which is handy when passing vehicles on highways or two-lane roads.
The engine loves to rev, and you must rev it a lot to get the best performance. But the shifter is delightful to use, with short, sure throws, and works with a ...
... 3,100 rpm at 65 mph.
Fuel economy is an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway with either the five- or six-speed manual gearbox and 22 and 28 with the $900 automatic transmission offered for base and LS models.
The reinforcements, which include a race-car-style strut tower brace, give the Miata crisper handling and a more solid feel.
Interior trim has been upgraded. Most noticeable to drivers will be the white-face gauges with chrome rings that can be ...
... bag.
The top is easy to work and has a glass rear window that won't get scratched like a plastic one. However, there are blind spots when it's raised.
The quick power steering has superb road feedback, and the car has razor-sharp handling. The standard suspension is fine, delivering a surprisingly soft, supple ride for a car with such a short (89.2-inch) wheelbase.
You can get slightly better handling with the stiffer ''suspension package,'' which costs $395 for the LS and $1,095 for the base model, but it's not really needed.
...
... average, with nice pedal feel. But anti-lock brakes are $550 extra -- and only offered for the LS. By now, such brakes should be standard on all Miatas.
Getting in and out of the low car calls for extra effort, and the interior is noisy. But, although the cockpit is snug, there's good room for long legs.
Seats are supportive and controls are easily reached -- although radio controls are small and dual cupholders are too far back on the console.
The trunk is small, but nicely shaped and useful for weekend trips if you pack light.
The first Miata was a genine sports car bargain. Things haven't changed in that regard.
SUBJECT: Mazda Miata; performance; design; CONSUMER PRODUCTS MOTOR VEHICLES (91%); AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY (90%); AUTOMOBILE MFG (78%); AUTOMOTIVE MFG (78%); TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT MFG (78%); AUTOMAKERS (78%); AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY EQUIPMENT (77%); \
Copyright 2000 Post-Standard, All Rights Reserved.
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
August 13, 2000 Sunday Final Edition
SECTION: AUTO; Pg. H1
LENGTH: 675 words
HEADLINE: BRAWNY AND VERSATILE NEED TO HAUL LOTS OF PEOPLE OR CARGO? EXCURSION'S FOR YOU
BYLINE: Kenn Peters Staff writer
BODY:
... huggers of the world can band together and say bad things about the Ford Excursion being too large and wasteful, but then again, we all can find bad things to say about almost any vehicle.
The point is, the new-to-the-market 2000 Excursion is built for a specific purpose for people who have extraordinary demands.
What will it do?
With the rear seat in place it will carry five ...
... V-8 diesel can tow up to 10,000 pounds, which means that any boat or trailer that's trailerable can be towed.
The 4X4 Excursion is virtually unstoppable, moving about with ease through spots where other vehicles might become bogged down.
It's true that most Excursions might never go off road, but I took an Excursion off road and drove it through places a couple passengers thought it wouldn't go.
At 7,688 pounds the Excursion is the heaviest passenger vehicle on the road, but when equipped with the optional 7.3-liter turbo diesel engine, it is capable of turning in up to 18 miles per gallon on the highway, a number that's more than competitive with ...
... form the Excursion would be a Ford heavy duty three-quarter ton pickup truck.
The engineers did a masterful job of dialing in a smooth ride and relatively good handling for a vehicle this size.
While the diesel engine is typically loud, it does settle down once it's reached cruising speed and the interior becomes quiet. Spirited acceleration is not in the Excursion's make-up, but ...
... folds down, Ford designed the rear window to lift, and the rear gate to open like a Dutch door.
The bottom line is simple to understand; people with a constant need for a big vehicle, whether it's hauling a lot of people, pulling a heavy trailer or carrying a lot of cargo, will find the Excursion offers versatility not found in other vehicles.
Kenn Peters' Road Test appears every Sunday in the Herald America. You can reach him by e-mail at business£syracuse.com or call (315) 470-2244.
Ford Excursion ...
... bags; remote keyless entry; running boards; tow hooks; air conditioning; anti-theft system; power windows, door locks, mirrors; anti-lock disc brakes; AM-FM stereo; automatic transmission; engine block heater
Options: 7.3-liter power stroke turbo diesel ($4,005); LT265/75RX160 all-terrain tires ($225); telescopic power mirrors ($95); chrome style aluminum wheels ($310); leather captain's chairs ($1,300); 6 disc CD ($495); comfort/convenience group ($1,160) includes: trip computer, illuminated running boards, power driver's seat, rear ...
SUBJECT: MOTOR VEHICLES (78%); RETURN ON INVESTMENT (50%);
Copyright 1999 The Miami Herald
All Rights Reserved
The Miami Herald
August 26, 1999 Thursday FINAL EDITION
SECTION: WHEELS & WAVES; Pg. 1F
LENGTH: 994 words
HEADLINE: KING-SIZE SPORT UTE RULES ROAD, SWILLS GAS
BYLINE: TERRY JACKSON, Herald Staff
BODY:
What you may have heard about Ford's new sport-utility vehicle, the Excursion, is all true. It's big. Really big.
Ford made the Excursion 7.2 inches longer than a 1999 Chevrolet/GMC Suburban, 3.3 inches wider and 5.6 inches taller. Overall, the Excursion is ...
... General Motors and Dodge also have trucks larger than Excursion.
And if you want to talk really big, there's a stretch Lincoln Navigator limo running around South Florida that easily wins the prize for biggest sport-utility vehicle - it's twice the length of the Excursion.
So let's put this talk of size aside and analyze the Excursion for what it is: An alternative to the Suburban that can handle almost any cargo or towing job and still be driven to the office.
Based on the F250 Super Duty chassis, the Excursion and the pickup share body parts forward of the windshield. That gives the Excursion the pickup's big rig-style chrome grille, which accentuates its muscular look.
More than 60 percent of all the Excursion's parts come from the Super Duty pickup, from engines to the four-speed automatic transmission to much of the suspension. Recognizing that sport-ute buyers want a softer ride than most pickup buyers, Ford did adjust the shocks and the spring rates on the Excursion.
The result is a surprisingly smooth ...
... all necessary wiring.
Even with the V-10, the Excursion is not a screamer, given its weight. Getting to 60 mph takes about 10 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 94 mph.
This vehicle is about hauling people and cargo.
Inside, the Excursion is so large one passenger wondered if it might produce an echo.
There are three rows of seats and, depending on the seating choice in the front - ...
... on top.
The full-width rear glass comes with a windshield wiper and increases rear visibility over the vertical barn-door option on the Suburban.
And rear vision is critical on a vehicle this long. The optional extended side mirrors, which also incorporate small convex mirrors at the bottom for a wide-field view, are a must when changing lanes. Even large cars can get lost right up next to the Excursion.
Which is a good point to return to safety concerns, specifically that as more large trucks and sport utes use the roads, smaller cars are at greater risk if the two types of vehicles collide.
There's no use denying physics. A 3,000-pound sedan is not likely to fare well against a 6,500-pound sport ute. Just as a 6,500-pound sport ute is not going to be able to withstand a blow from an 18,000-pound big rig.
The risk comes when someone steps up from a sedan to an Excursion, because vehicles this big demand more attention and respect, particularly in judging stopping distances and turning radius.
Ford says it has taken steps to minimize crash damage between the Excursion and smaller vehicles. At the front, just under the Excursion's bumper, is what Ford calls a Blocker Beam, which lines up with the height of the frame rails on most passenger cars.
It's designed to keep a car from sliding under the Excursion in the event of a collision. At the back, the trailer hitch is positioned to do the same thing in the event the Excursion is rear-ended.
The other issue with vehicles like the Excursion is exhaust emissions and fuel mileage.
Ford says its truck engines for 2000 are certified to meet California's low-emission vehicle standard, which is 43 percent below federal standards.
Mileage is not so rosy. A week of driving with a V-10 4x4 Excursion resulted in 11 miles per gallon. Add ...
SUBJECT: MOTOR VEHICLES (91%); AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY (78%); AUTOMAKERS (78%);
Copyright 1999 The Florida Times-Union
The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, FL)
May 29, 1999 Saturday, City Edition
SECTION: WHEELS;
Pg. F-7
LENGTH: 1353 words
HEADLINE: Touring in luxury;
Infiniti G20t offers quiet, comfortable ride
BYLINE: Dan Scanlan, Times-Union staff writer
BODY:
... in one day, even sighting some alligators in the waters at Payne's Prairie as we cruised down US 441.
The compact Infiniti G20 is the entry-level offering in Nissan's luxury car division, but it's been missing from showroom floors for the past two years. So we decided the best way to test the newer, bigger version that surfaced stateside a few months ago was to tour with ...
... G20 is based on the Europe-only Nissan Primera, a popular if bland compact sedan that achieved some notoriety in 1998 when a beefed-up version won the 1998 British Touring Car Championship. Now, after learning its way around the Nurburgring and Snetterton tracks, it comes to the United States as the bigger baby Infiniti, ready and willing to tackle the twisty bits and coddle its passengers. But where did some of that touring car's power go when it crossed the Atlantic?
The new G20 looks a bit like the first-generation car, offered stateside between 1991 and 1996, and is supposed to be the customer's introduction to the Infiniti line of luxury sedans and sports utilities. But it also looks a bit like parent company Nissan's own compact Altima sedan, with a similar profile and length.
The car got its share of looks at the UF campus and parked in front of the old Thrasher general store in 1820s' Micanopy, its rounded nose offering a small, Infiniti-style chrome-rimmed grille with a smooth front fender and a deep air dam with lots of intakes. That deep air dam had a dent and lots of scratches after previous reporters found curbs and driveways with it. The rounded roof line flows down to a higher tail design, capped with an add-on spoiler and large taillights. The G20 gets some lower-body cladding to visually lower the car's look, although some who saw it said it looks a bit old-fashioned. Our car rode on aggressive P195/60R15 Bridgestone Potenza RE92 radials on sporty 8-spoke alloys.
Thanks to an almost 3-inch increase in length, 2 inches of that wheelbase, the ...
... dual-front air bags.
The black-accented dashboard wraps around the driver a bit more than the last version, with a 120-mph speedometer, 8,000-rpm tach and gas and temperature gauge. The automatic climate control is mounted high on the center section for easy use as well as the superb Bose 100-watt, six-speaker AM-FM-CD-cassette system. There is a single cup ...
... seat installed. Without the booster seat, there is a center armrest with two cup holders. Or you can fold the rear seats forward for added cargo capacity, although the resulting pass-through is skinny. The car could be more versatile with a larger pass-through, although the trunk is usably deep and wide, with a 6-disc CD player tucked out of the way on the side.
On the road, the G20t is a pleasant touring car, with precise steering, a good suspension and easy-to-use cruise control, which helped in the speed traps of Lawtey and Waldo. But while the 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder engine offers ...
... hp, 10 more than in Europe, it isn't as perky as you'd think even with a slick and very precise 5-speed manual. We managed a 0-60 mph sprint in 9 seconds, the car a bit slow off the line and not as lively as I would like in passing with three on board. That compared to competition like the 8.5 seconds for the 150-hp, VTEC four-cylinder Honda Accord and the new 195-hp, V-6 Mitsubishi Galant. Upping the power in the car is a possibility, say Infiniti officials, although no V-6 is planned.
On the other hand, the G20t's suspension makes the car a joy to drive through the winding country roads near Gainesville and Micanopy, offering a comfortable but well-controlled ride thanks to the rear multi-link beam suspension system. The car has good grip in turns, cornering flat as it comes off interstate ramps with no drama and moderate understeer. It was fun to drive. The four-wheel disc brakes offer standard ABS and a good pedal feel, stopping the car quickly with a little fade after some hard stops.
The base price for the G20t is $22,495, with standard alloy wheels, power mirrors, windows and door locks, Bose AM-FM-CD- ...
... vent, which was unstuck minutely at one end, and a slight underbody squeak on rough roads.
Ultimately, we enjoyed our time with the G20t, finding it a solid, quiet, comfortable baby luxury car whether negotiating downtown Jacksonville traffic or cruising through the tree-lined University of Florida campus. More power for acceleration and passing, a bit more of a luxury look inside and a bit less of the boy racer look outside would also be appreciated to round the out this appealing package.
Florida Times-Union staff writer Dan Scanlan test-drives new vehicles on Northeast Florida's roads, averaging about 200 miles of combined highway and city traffic during a weeklong test. The test vehicles are provided by the manufacturer according to their schedule, and represent a broad spectrum of sizes and prices. The prices listed are manfacturer's suggested retail prices.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
1999 Infiniti G20t
Specifications
Vehicle type compact import luxury sports sedan
Base price $22,495 (As driven -- $24,190)
Engine type DOHC, 16-valve inline four
Displacement 2-liters
Horsepower (net) 140 hp ...
SUBJECT: auto; test drive RURAL COMMUNITIES (90%); MOTOR VEHICLES (90%); TRAVEL LEISURE & HOSPITALITY (78%); LUXURY GOODS (74%); AUTOMOBILE MFG (74%); AUTOMOTIVE MFG (74%); TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT MFG (74%);
Copyright 1998 Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL (LANCASTER, PA.)
June 10, 1998, Wednesday
SECTION: LOCAL,
Pg. B-4
LENGTH: 130 words
HEADLINE: It's 1958 in New Holland
BODY:
"CHROME AND STYLE': Steve Loewen shows off his 1958 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight convertible, which will be one of many 1958 automobiles featured Sunday, July 12 at the 17th New Holland antique car show at New Holland Community Park on East Jackson Street. "It's been 40 years since the 1958 models were built.
And there's never been any model since that has as much chrome and style," said Loewen, who chairs the annual show. More than 200 cars and tractors are expected to compete for trophies that will be awarded at 3 p.m. Live music will be provided by New Holland Dixieland Band.
The show is sponsored by New Holland Band. ...
SUBJECT: VEHICLE; HISTORY; ANTIQUES; PARKS MOTOR VEHICLES (88%); PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS (86%);
Copyright 1998 Sentinel Communications Co.
THE ORLANDO SENTINEL
March 5, 1998 Thursday, METRO
SECTION: TRANSPORTATION; Pg. F2
LENGTH: 806 words
HEADLINE: V10 CENTAURO: BORN TO CRUISE IN FAST LANE
BYLINE: By Bill Andrews
BODY:
From the land that looks like a motorcycle boot, we get some of the world's best food, wine and motorized vehicles. The Italians must have a zest for speed and handling, or the Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Ducatis and Moto Guzzis are just blind luck. Nah, they know what they're doing, and they make us drool as if we're looking at ...
... share decreasing rapidly, probably due to
the inexpensive, faster Japanese motorcycles that were flooding the market and
a downward spiral in the motorcycle market in general. The company hit a low
point of 3,000 vehicles in 1993.
A lot has been done to get the Guzzi flying again. The motor is part of the
frame. The engine designers have gone to a four-valve, overhead cam (which is
where Guzzi started, you'll recall) and an ...
... looks like it was born ready to cruise. The
molding and paint job have a Miami Beach Deco look. The tank and body flow to
the rear tail light with all the curves of a retro-50s style. The chrome dash,
instrument cups and headlight finish the look. Don't let the illusion fool you
though: The inverted forks and full-floating disk brakes let you know this
machine is made to handle.
Starting the Guzzi cold ...
... but it's one of those unique things that some will love
and others won't. It's caused by the horizontal rotation of the motor in the
frame. For instance, if you watch the motor rev in a car, you'll notice it
trying to roll over against the mounts. Once you're moving, this effect isn't
noticeable.
Shifting up through the gears gives you a satisfying yank with each tap up.
...
SUBJECT: MOTORCYCLE MOTOR VEHICLES (94%); MOTORCYCLE & BICYCLE MFG (78%); TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT MFG (78%);
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Copyright 1999 The Columbian Publishing Co.
The Columbian (Vancouver, WA.)
August 15, 1999, Sunday
SECTION: Clark County/region; Pg. b1
LENGTH: 372 words
HEADLINE: CAR LOVERS TURN HOTEL LOT INTO...
A CADDY SHACK
BYLINE: SUZANNE SOUTHERLAND, Columbian staff writer
BODY:
... 34-A, considered rare because La Salles were manufactured only from 1927 to 1940.
Perhaps shining brightest in the lot was a candy-apple red 1959 Cadillac convertible with fins, bullet tail lights and generous chrome work.
Prizes were given in 21 classes according to year of car and trophies were provided by Bill Copps Cadillac. The Best of Show Cadillac between 1903 and 1959 went to Dave Rockstein of Springfield, Ore., for a 1956 62 Series; the Best of Show Cadillac ...
Copyright 1999 Crain Communications, Inc.
Plastics News
July 05, 1999
SECTION: Cover story; Pg. 1
LENGTH: 876 words
HEADLINE: INTO THE SPOTLIGHT: WCP TAKES CENTER STAGE
BYLINE: Joseph Pryweller PLASTICS NEWS STAFF
... attach to instrument panel skins. Those appliques, vacuum formed in the plant from ABS film, are adhered to the skin during injection molding.
The process creates a luxurious surface finish for low-end vehicles, with a wood-grain look the most common.
The plant also chrome-plates its lighting products by adding a reflective top coat. The vacuum metalizing process is done in sealed, rotating bins, where aluminum pieces adhere to the lamps.
Now, Worthington officials would like to share that technology with the ...
Copyright 1996 The Tribune Co. Publishes The Tampa Tribune
The Tampa Tribune
January 10, 1996, Wednesday, METRO EDITION
SECTION: HERNANDO,
Pg. 2
LENGTH: 310 words
HEADLINE: BROOKSVILLE
BYLINE: A Tribune Staff Report
BODY:
... for the driver who killed a still-unidentified woman walking along U.S. 19 Saturday night.
The highway patrol said the suspect drove a 1980-86 white Ford pickup. The vehicle has damage to its right front fender. The vehicle is missing a parking light, some chrome from a headlight and part of the plastic grill.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the highway patrol.
The pickup struck the woman at about 8:50 p.m. just north of Windward Boulevard while driving northbound ...
Copyright 1995 Plain Dealer Publishing Co.
The Plain Dealer
May 21, 1995 Sunday, FINAL / ALL
SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 1D
LENGTH: 628 words
HEADLINE: SPURS' KEY MATCHUP: RODMAN VS. COACH
BYLINE: BUD SHAW
BODY:
... bizarre work in the Daly years was using his scalp as an Etch-a-Sketch.
His behavior wasn't much different that when he was living with the foster family that raised him in Oklahoma. Once, Rodman got a car and decorated it. Neon stripes, chrome lights, horns a plenty. When his foster mother saw this thing coming down a farm road, she thought it was a UFO.
In recent years, instead of decorating his cars and pickup trucks, he began ...
Copyright 1994 U.P.I.
United Press International
May 23, 1994, Monday, BC cycle
SECTION: Financial
LENGTH: 701 words
BYLINE: BY JACK LESAR
DATELINE: CHICAGO
BODY:
... extensive slatting, which Infiniti says is intended to bolster the effectiveness of the new environmentally friendly refrigerant used in the car's air-conditioning system.
Chrome also has been added along the windshield and side moldings and around the rear lights.
Why all the chrome on a car whose designers originally eschewed such brightwork in a quest for a new breed of luxury performance sedan?
Because market research showed brightwork is what buyers of $50,000 luxury performance sedans want -- and the reason ...
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Copyright 2000 Financial Times Information
All rights reserved
Global News Wire
Copyright 2000 Independent Newspapers Limited.
The Christchurch Press
October 23, 2000
SECTION: 2: Pg. 6
FT-ACC-NO: A200010251CCC-254-WR
LENGTH: 112 words
HEADLINE: NEWS LUXURY VEHICLE STOLEN DURING GAME
BODY:
The new luxury Mitsubishi Pajero Exceed was stolen from Moorhouse Avenue during Saturday's rugby final. A top-of-the-line model that was launched this year, the car is distinctively opulent, with a sunroof, chrome tail-light surrounds and grille, and leather seats. Christchurch police said the car, which is coloured purple over silver and has the registration ZQ7611, possibly has a broken passenger-side window. They appealed for anyone with information about the vehicle to contact the Christchurch police station.
Copyright 2000 by PRIMEDIA Business Magazines & Media Inc.
"All Rights Reserved"
Lighting Dimensions
May 2000
SECTION: Architecture; ISSN: 0191-541X
LENGTH: 1844 words
HEADLINE: Western perspectives
BYLINE: Ellen Lampert-Greaux
BODY:
... generation Ford motor cars on display, and showcase
them as if they were works of art. "Even washes of light on various
surfaces provide a deep reflected glow in the automotive finishes and
highlight the curves of the cars," says Israel. "Metal-halides with
color-balanced filters and quartz accent lights emphasize the chrome and
leather."
The lighting was designed in concert with the oval shape of the ceiling (in
tribute to Ford's logo). Deep ceiling slots conceal track lighting, while
asymmetric Rambusch biax floodlights uplight the ceiling and ...
LOAD-DATE: May 2, 2000
Copyright 1996 Haymarket Publishing Services Ltd
Marketing
August 22, 1996
LENGTH: 324 words
HEADLINE: Design Choice: Ford Scorpio
BYLINE: By JAMES CURTIS
... a crack at doing that Japanese thing of ensuring every car has a face - the trouble with this one is that it looks like a wide-mouthed frog.
The back, with its low-slung wrap-around lights, abundant chrome and boot, looks like everything cars have moved away from since the introduction of ..hang on a minute ..the Sierra.
Again, that is something to be applauded. What Ford has tried to do here is to introduce personality and quirkiness into a market where everything looks the same. At least it is ...
[1]The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.