Michael Satterfield
HONDA SUPER CUB BECOMES FIRST VEHICLE IN JAPAN TO RECEIVE THREE-DIMENSIONAL TRADEMARK
The iconic design and shape of the world’s largest selling vehicle, Honda’s Super Cub scooter, has been recognised with it becoming the first vehicle in Japan to be granted a three-dimensional trademark.
Introduced in Japan in 1997, three-dimensional trademarks can be granted to a product which has acquired distinctiveness through long and extensive use. Very strict criteria is applied to registrations, and the Super Cub becomes one of very few industrial products to achieve such status.
A key determining factor for the Japan Patent Office when considering the very rare endorsement was the consistent design concept which Honda has maintained with the Super Cub over more than 50 years since it was introduced in 1958; while continuously achieving functional improvements throughout its long history.
The Super Cub is the world’s largest selling vehicle, with cumulative worldwide production reaching 87 million units* as of March 2014, and sales across more than 160 countries.
Honda Super Cub production
Honda is currently producing the Super Cub series at 15 production plants in 14 countries around the world; most notably Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, China, Nigeria and Japan. Cumulative worldwide production figures are as follows:
10 million units* – August 1974
50 million units* – December 2005
60 million units* – April 2008
87 million units* – March 2014
Source/Photo: Honda
The fact that the Super Cub became the first vehicle in Japan to receive a three-dimensional trademark really stood out to me. That says a lot about how recognizable and consistent the design has been over the years.
I liked that detail because it makes the bike feel even more iconic. Do you think any other motorcycle design comes close to that level of instant recognition?