Nissan Sues Audi Over Q Labels
Nissan Motor Co. has filed suit in U.S. District Court in Michigan, charging Volkswagen's Audi unit with trademark infringement over its planned use of the Q7 and Q5 names on future sport-utility vehicles. The Q7 is to be unveiled this fall at the Frankfurt auto show and the Q5 is scheduled to be released in 2007.
Nissan said it has used the letter Q to identify several of its premium Infiniti models, including the Q45 sedan and the QX56 SUV, and has registered those names with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Nissan wants the court to prevent Audi from using the letter Q in any future nameplates. Audi has declined to comment on pending litigation.