Trademark clash between car brands

A courtroom stoush between Chinese carmaker Chery and European giant Mercedes-Benz could be on the cards.

Mercedes-Benz recently announced plans for a line of electric cars to be called “EQ”, with manufacturing to take place in Germany and China, Reuters reports.

However, Chery has told trademark regulators it has been selling its “eQ” two-door electric car for two years.

“If it (Mercedes-Benz) entered the Chinese market, it would impact our trademark rights,” a Chery spokesperson told Reuters. “Mercedes Benz EQ and our (eQ) are extremely similar. Their product is also an electric car.”

Apart from confirming it has lodged trademark applications for EQ, a statement from Mercedes-Benz said it had no further information.