Trademark Class 12 Registration for Automotive Businesses in India (2025 Guide)
In the vast world of trademarks, choosing the right class for your goods or services is one of the most important steps. For automotive businesses—whether you’re a car manufacturer, bike dealer, or even selling vehicle parts—Trademark Class 12 is the category you must pay close attention to.
In this complete guide, we will break down everything you need to know about Trademark Class 12. From what it covers to how you can register your brand under it, we’ll make the process easy to understand so your business stays protected and competitive.
✅ What is a Trademark Class?
Before we dive into Class 12 specifically, let’s understand the concept of trademark classes. Trademarks are divided into 45 different classes under the Nice Classification (NCL) system.
- Classes 1 to 34 are for goods
- Classes 35 to 45 are for services
Choosing the correct class is crucial because your trademark protection only applies to the specific goods/services listed in that class. If you pick the wrong class, your trademark might not be legally enforceable.
🚗 What Does Trademark Class 12 Include?
Trademark Class 12 covers vehicles and products related to transportation. This includes not only complete vehicles but also various parts and accessories.
Here’s a simplified list of what Class 12 includes:
✅ Vehicles:
- Automobiles (cars, SUVs, trucks, vans)
- Motorcycles and scooters
- Bicycles and tricycles
- Electric vehicles
- Buses and coaches
- Tractors and trolleys
- Boats and ships
- Aircraft and drones
- Railway vehicles (trains, wagons, carriages)
✅ Vehicle Parts and Components:
- Engines and motors for land vehicles
- Tyres and tubes
- Brakes, clutches, suspensions
- Vehicle seats and safety belts
- Mirrors, wipers, windshields
- Gears, axles, steering wheels
- Horns, lights, vehicle indicators
✅ Other Transport-Related Products:
- Wheelchairs
- Carts and trolleys (non-mechanical)
- Anti-theft devices for vehicles
- Electric mobility scooters
- Bumpers, doors, windows for vehicles
🚫 What is Not Included in Class 12?
To avoid confusion, let’s look at what is excluded from Class 12:
| Not Included | Covered Under |
| Engines not for land vehicles | Class 7 |
| Vehicle batteries | Class 9 |
| Lubricants, fuels, coolants | Class 4 |
| Repair services for vehicles | Class 37 |
| Retail/wholesale of vehicles | Class 35 |
| GPS tracking systems | Class 9 |
This is why choosing the correct class is so important. If your product spans multiple categories, you may need to apply in more than one class.
🔍 Why Class 12 is Important for Automotive Businesses
If you’re in the automotive sector, you’re already aware of the competition. Whether you’re building a new vehicle brand or launching a spare parts line, your brand identity must be protected. That’s where Class 12 comes in.
Here’s why registering your trademark in Class 12 matters:
1. Legal Protection
Once registered, you gain exclusive rights to your trademark under Class 12. This means no one else can legally use a confusingly similar name or logo for vehicle-related goods.
2. Brand Identity and Trust
A registered trademark boosts your credibility in the market. Customers trust registered brands more than unregistered ones.
3. Prevents Imitation
Class 12 protection ensures that counterfeiters and competitors can’t copy your product names, designs, or brand elements within the automotive sector.
4. Valuable Business Asset
Your trademark can appreciate in value. It becomes an intangible asset that you can license, franchise, or even sell.
5. Required for Online Marketplaces
Many platforms like Amazon or Flipkart require sellers to have a registered trademark, especially for automotive categories.
📝 Examples of Brands Registered Under Class 12
To understand the scope, here are a few notable trademarks registered under Class 12:
| Brand | Product Type |
| Maruti Suzuki | Passenger vehicles |
| Hero MotoCorp | Motorcycles |
| Mahindra | Utility vehicles and tractors |
| Tata Motors | Commercial vehicles |
| Ola Electric | Electric scooters |
| Michelin | Tyres |
| Bosch Automotive | Vehicle parts |
These brands understood the importance of Class 12 in defending their market position.
🛠️ How to Register a Trademark in Class 12
At VMK Professionals, we guide you through every step of the registration process. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
Step 1: Trademark Search
We first check if your proposed brand name or logo is already taken under Class 12. This avoids legal conflicts later.
Step 2: Select the Right Class
We’ll confirm that your product fits within Class 12. If needed, we also register in other relevant classes.
Step 3: Prepare the Documents
We’ll collect documents such as:
- Applicant identity proof
- Brand name/logo
- Nature of goods (vehicles/parts/etc.)
- Power of attorney (if filing through an agent)
Step 4: File the Application
We file your trademark application with the Indian Trademark Registry online. You’ll receive an acknowledgment and application number.
Step 5: Examination & Objection (if any)
If the examiner raises any objection (e.g., similarity with another brand), we help file a proper response.
Step 6: Advertisement in Trademark Journal
If approved, your mark is published in the journal for public review. If no one opposes it within 4 months, you move to the final step.
Step 7: Trademark Registration Certificate
Congratulations! You now own exclusive rights to your mark under Class 12 for 10 years, renewable thereafter.
📌 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Class 12 Trademark Registration
Many automotive businesses make the following errors:
- Choosing the wrong class (like Class 7 for land vehicle engines)
- Not doing a proper trademark search
- Using generic names that can’t be trademarked
- Delaying the application, which allows competitors to register first
- Thinking one class covers everything
Avoid these mistakes by working with experienced professionals.
💡 Pro Tip: Multi-Class Registration
If your business involves both manufacturing and retail, or product plus service, consider multi-class registration. For example:
| Activity | Class |
| Manufacturing vehicles | Class 12 |
| Selling vehicles | Class 35 |
| Repairing vehicles | Class 37 |
| GPS for vehicles | Class 9 |
Registering across classes ensures you’re fully protected.
📈 SEO Benefits of Trademark Registration
Registering a trademark doesn’t just help legally—it also benefits your digital presence.
✅ Improves Search Visibility
Search engines value unique brand names. Registered trademarks often perform better on platforms like Google.
✅ Enables Brand Building
With a secure brand name, you can confidently promote on websites, ads, and social media.
✅ Boosts Consumer Trust
Visitors and customers are more likely to click on links or buy from you if you’re seen as a registered brand.
📞 How VMK Professionals Can Help
At VMK Professionals, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses in the automotive sector successfully register their trademarks.
What We Offer:
- Free trademark class consultation
- Complete documentation support
- Expert legal handling of objections
- Affordable, transparent pricing
- Pan India service
Whether you manufacture electric scooters or sell imported car parts, we’ve got your back.
🧾 Final Thoughts
Trademark Class 12 is the lifeline of your brand if you’re operating in the automotive industry. Without proper registration, you risk brand misuse, imitation, and legal troubles. From tyres to tractors, every product in this category must be protected under the correct class.
Investing in a trademark isn’t just about legal protection—it’s a smart branding move that sets you apart in a highly competitive industry.
📣 Secure Your Automotive Brand Today with VMK Professionals
Let VMK Professionals help you register your trademark in Class 12 without hassle. Our expert team will guide you from start to finish so you can focus on growing your brand.
👉 Contact us today for a free consultation!
Your brand deserves protection—get it the professional way!
