2014 Buick Enclave Leather on 2040-cars

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Bring back the Bronco! Trademarks we hope are actually (someday) future car names

Trademark filings are the tea leaves of the auto industry. Read them carefully – and interpret them correctly – and you might be previewing an automaker's future product plans. Yes, they're routinely filed to maintain the rights to an iconic name. And sometimes they're only for toys and clothing. But not always. Sometimes, the truth is right in front of us. The trademark is required because a company actually wants to use the name on a new car. With that in mind, here's a list of intriguing trademark filings we want to see go from paperwork to production reality. Trademark: Bronco Company: Ford Previous Use: The Bronco was a long-running SUV that lived from 1966-1996. It's one of America's original SUVs and was responsible for the increased popularity of the segment. Still, it's best known as O.J. Simpson's would-be getaway car. We think: The Bronco was an icon. Everyone seems to want a Wrangler-fighter – Ford used to have a good one. Enough time has passed that the O.J. police chase isn't the immediate image conjured by the Bronco anymore. Even if we're doing a wish list in no particular order, the Bronco still finds its way to the top. For now (unfortunately), it's just federal paperwork. Rumors on this one can get especially heated. The official word from a Ford spokesman is: "Companies renew trademark filings to maintain ownership and control of the mark, even if it is not currently used. Ford values the iconic Bronco name and history." Trademarks: Aviator, AV8R Company: Ford Previous Use: The Aviator was one of the shortest-run Lincolns ever, lasting for the 2003-2005 model years. It never found the sales success of the Ford Explorer, with which it shared a platform. We Think: The Aviator name no longer fits with Lincoln's naming nomenclature. Too bad, it's better than any other name Lincoln currently uses, save for its former big brother, the Navigator. Perhaps we're barking up the wrong tree, though. Ford has made several customized, aviation themed-Mustangs in the past, including one called the Mustang AV8R in 2008, which had cues from the US Air Force's F-22 Raptor fighter jet. It sold for $500,000 at auction, and the glass roof – which is reminiscent of a fighter jet cockpit – helped Ford popularize the feature. Trademark: EcoBeast Company: Ford Previous Use: None by major carmakers.

2014 Chevy Malibu, Buick LaCrosse recalled over brake mix-up

The recall madness over at General Motors isn't letting up anytime soon, as evidenced by this latest call-back of 8,208 Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse sedans. For those keeping track, this is the fifth recall that GM has announced in the past two weeks, not to mention the massive ignition-switch issue from earlier this year.
GM issued a statement saying these sedans are being recalled due to "possible reduced braking performance," according to Automotive News. The problem? Rear brake rotors may have accidentally been installed in the front brake assembly. And since both cars use more robust braking systems up front than out back, braking power could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Automotive News reports that, of the over 8,000 cars being recalled, about 1,700 are currently in the hands of customers, while the others are still in dealer inventory. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to this problem. All of the affected vehicles are from the 2014 model year.

2022 Buick Enclave revealed with refreshed styling, more standard features

Buick gave us a sneak peak at the 2022 Enclave back in January, but it officially pulled the sheet back Wednesday to reveal the extent of its updated styling and detail a few updates to its feature content, including a new suite of standard safety tech.  We can now better see the various exterior styling touch-ups, including a larger, more pronounced grille, new head- and taillights, and more angularly sculpted front and rear bumpers. The Avenir's exterior treatment was also updated to incorporate the new elements. The changes aren't too dramatic, but Buick did enough to make the 2022 visually distinguishable from previous years.  The new standard safety suite is Buick's Driver Confidence Plus package. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic high-beams. Buick's midsize crossover is still powered by a standard 310-horsepower V6 with optional all-wheel drive. The range-topping Avenir model includes an adaptive suspension and unique styling elements.  Despite our previous expectations, the Enclave's cabin didn't really get an upgrade apart from the standard safety items listed above. Buick did not include pricing information in Wednesday's announcement, so you can look forward to yet another update before the 2022 Enclave goes on sale later this year.  Related video: 2021 Buick Envision Running Footage