Chrysler News: Chrysler Trademarks HFE

[William Maley]

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

July 11, 2012

Earlier this week, we reported on a filing from the U.S. Patent and Trademark office about a possible branding for the new diesel engine in the 2014 Grand Cherokee. Apparently this wasn't the only filing Chrysler did.

Car & Driver found a trademark application filled by the company to register “HFE High Fuel Efficiency”. The possible descriptor would most likely come on models that have small-displacement engines, and come with low rolling resistance tires and enhanced aerodynamics

Currently, Chrysler uses the name of Aero to refer to its most fuel-efficient models. Only one model wears the Aero name and that is the Dart.

Whether we see Chrysler drop the Aero for the HFE is something we'll be keeping a close eye on.

Source: Car & Driver

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[riviera74]

They knid of have to drop the Aero name because of Saab. It is also difficult to explain Aero vs. HFE. If you don't believe me, ask Mazda how tough it is to explain Skyactiv. When I first of Skyactiv in a Mazda commercial, I honestly had no idea what they were talking about. A lot of people probably felt the same way, hence why Mazda has serious sales problems.

Chrysler needs HFE for one reason: their fleet is very strongly biased towards gas guzzlers. I really like the 300/Charger and I really wished GM had a real answer for that without having to get a Cadillac CTS (Challenger is covered by the new Camaro.). Chrysler badly needs not just a Dart HFE, but a 200 HFE and a Journey HFE too. Ideally, Chrylser would cut about 500 pounds out of each model, which would solve their fuel efficiency problems stat.

[ocnblu]

I think there are too many alphanumeric vehicular descriptors out there as it is. I say keep Aero as your verdant trim, it's more memorable and less easily confused with the competition's weenie cars.

[Robert Hall]

Saab is gone, so I don't think Aero is an issue...didn't know Dodge was using it. HFE reminds me of HSE, a Jaguar engine designation from the '80s...

[ocnblu]

I believe HFE was a tag put on Cobalts, wasn't it, with manual transmissions, special gearing and low rolling-resistance tires? Also on Silverados? Or am I cornfused?

[William Maley]

I believe HFE was a tag put on Cobalts, wasn't it, with manual transmissions, special gearing and low rolling-resistance tires? Also on Silverados? Or am I cornfused?

You're thinking of XFE.. and yes that was on the Silverado as well

[ocnblu]

See wut I mean? Too damned confusing! Too damned forgettable! A real word is needed to render the clutter.