Auto Industry Faces New Dispute as Ferrari and Mazda Clash Over Name for Future EV

The auto industry has found itself in the middle of a fresh naming dispute, as Italian powerhouse Ferrari and Japan’s Mazda go head-to-head over the rights to the name “Luce.”

Ferrari reportedly plans to use the name—meaning “light” or “electricity” in Italian—for its first-ever fully electric supercar. But those plans have run into legal complications in Japan.

While Ferrari secured a 10-year trademark through the World Intellectual Property Organization, Mazda moved quickly on its home turf. Just three weeks after Ferrari’s announcement, the Japanese automaker filed its own trademark application for “Luce” in Japan.

For Mazda, the name carries historical significance. The Mazda Luce was produced from 1966 through 1991, and the brand last resurfaced in 2017 with the Mazda Vision Coupe.

Ferrari maintains that its earlier trademark checks found no active conflicts that would block international registration of “Ferrari Luce.” In February 2026, the company also filed for trademark protection in the European Union, securing rights across 27 countries. However, Japan’s national trademark laws give Mazda the upper hand domestically, creating a tricky situation for Maranello. Launching a flagship EV under different names in different markets would be far from ideal.

Industry observers point to a similar clash back in 2011, when Ford Motor Company forced Ferrari to rename its Formula 1 car, the Ferrari F150, to avoid confusion with the Ford F-150. Ferrari ultimately backed down, renaming the car “150 Italia.”

Whether Ferrari will compromise again—or push the matter into a larger legal battle—remains to be seen.