Avanti Motor Corporation CEO Fights Back
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| Avanti's Studebaker XUV slated for limited production with deliveries in August looks much too close to the Hummer H2 according to GM officials. |
Dolly, the world's most famous sheep may have just recently died, but Georgia, USA located boutique automaker Avanti is keeping cloning alive and well in its new Studebaker XUV sport utility.
It seems General Motors, that controls the Hummer brand it feels is being copied, isn't amused at the new SUV currently displayed at the Chicago Auto Show. The world's largest carmaker is demanding the independent vehicle maker withdraw its new 'extreme' utility vehicle (XUV) from the show. If Avanti holds firm, it will be faced with a trademark infringement lawsuit.
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| 2003 Hummer H2. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Avanti might also want to consider just who they're up against. The General recently was able to get a preliminary injunction denied that was put forth by DaimlerChrysler over the use of the Hummer's 7-slat grille that resembles the Jeep brand.
It doesn't take a design school degree to see the similarities between the Hummer H2 and the new Studebaker XUV. According to Automotive News GM trademark attorney Charles Ellerbrock stated, "The Studebaker XUV is so similar to the H2 that the public will be confused by the knock off of the H2." CNN further reported him saying, "Avanti Motor Corporation is attempting to profit from and capitalize upon the enormous popularity and goodwill that GM has developed in the wildly successful H2 by knocking off the H2."