Trademark Guide for Class 12: Cars, Motorcycles, and Vehicle Parts
In a competitive automotive industry, where every brand competes for attention, registering your trademark is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re manufacturing cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, or their parts and accessories, Trademark Class 12 is where your brand identity legally begins. This blog will help you understand everything about Class 12 trademarks—from what it covers to how you can protect your brand under it.
🚗 What is Trademark Class 12?
Trademark Class 12 is part of the Nice Classification system, an international standard used to classify goods and services for trademark registration purposes. Each class represents a specific category, and Class 12 specifically pertains to vehicles and their parts.
✅ Class 12 Covers:
- Motor vehicles (cars, trucks, buses)
- Two-wheelers (motorcycles, scooters, mopeds)
- Electric vehicles (e-bikes, e-scooters, e-cars)
- Bicycles and their parts
- Land, air, and water vehicles (boats, aircraft)
- Vehicle components like tires, engines, brakes, mirrors, and gearboxes
If your business is involved in manufacturing, designing, selling, distributing, or branding any kind of vehicle or transport equipment, then Class 12 is where your trademark should be registered.
🛵 Why Register Under Class 12?
Here are the key reasons why businesses in the vehicle and transport equipment sector must register their trademarks under Class 12:
1. Legal Protection for Your Brand
Trademark registration gives you exclusive rights to use your brand name, logo, or slogan for specific goods. If you don’t register, competitors can use similar names and dilute your brand value.
2. Prevent Infringement
With a registered trademark, you can legally stop others from using similar marks in the same industry—especially critical in automotive sectors where counterfeit parts and products are common.
3. Boost Customer Trust
When customers see a registered brand, they associate it with credibility, safety, and professionalism—especially important in industries like automobiles where trust is everything.
4. Better Valuation and Licensing
Registered trademarks can be treated as intellectual property (IP) assets. You can license your brand, sell it, or include it in a franchise model. A well-known trademark adds tangible value to your business.
🛠️ What Products Are Covered in Class 12?
To help you decide whether your product falls under Class 12, here’s a breakdown of typical goods and components included:
🚘 Land Vehicles
- Passenger cars and electric cars
- Pickup trucks and SUVs
- Commercial buses and vans
- Tractors and construction vehicles
🛵 Two-Wheelers
- Motorcycles, mopeds, scooters
- E-bikes and pedal-assist bicycles
🚛 Parts and Fittings
- Brake systems
- Engines and motors
- Tires and tubes
- Gearboxes and clutches
- Seats, seat covers, and safety belts
- Mirrors, windshields, and lighting equipment
✈️ Air and Water Transport
- Aircraft and helicopters
- Boats, ferries, and ships
❌ What’s NOT Covered in Class 12?
Certain vehicle-related services and products belong in other trademark classes:
| Item/Service | Belongs to |
| Vehicle repair and maintenance | Class 37 |
| Vehicle rental and leasing | Class 39 |
| Fuel (petrol, diesel) | Class 4 |
| GPS or navigation software | Class 9 |
Knowing these distinctions ensures that your trademark application is filed correctly and doesn’t face rejection.
🧾 Examples of Brands Registered in Class 12
Let’s look at examples of well-known Indian and global brands that have registered under Class 12:
- Tata Motors – Registered for commercial and passenger vehicles
- Bajaj Auto – For motorcycles and scooters
- Maruti Suzuki – Covering a wide range of car models
- Mahindra – For tractors and SUVs
- Hero MotoCorp – For two-wheelers and their accessories
These brands protect their product names, logos, and even model names under Class 12 to prevent imitation and misuse.
🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Register a Class 12 Trademark
If you’re planning to launch a vehicle-related brand, here’s the process to register under Class 12:
Step 1: Conduct a Trademark Search
Before applying, check if a similar trademark already exists.
- Visit the IP India Public Search portal.
- Choose “Class 12” and type your brand name.
- Look for phonetically or visually similar marks.
Step 2: Choose a Unique Mark
Avoid using generic terms like “Speed,” “Turbo,” or “Auto.” Instead, come up with a distinctive, creative, and memorable name that’s not too descriptive.
Step 3: File the Application
You can apply online on the IP India website or hire a trademark consultant.
You’ll need:
- Applicant’s details (individual/company)
- Trademark name and logo (if applicable)
- Goods/services description (mention Class 12)
- Power of Attorney (if applying through an agent)
Step 4: Examination by Trademark Office
Your application will be examined to see if it violates any rules. If accepted, it moves to publication.
Step 5: Trademark Publication
If no opposition is filed within 4 months, your trademark is accepted and moves toward registration.
Step 6: Trademark Registration Certificate
Once approved, you receive the registration certificate. Your mark is now legally protected under Class 12.
🛑 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Class 12 Trademark Registration
- Filing in the wrong class: Vehicle servicing or rentals are different from manufacturing. Filing in the wrong class can lead to rejection.
- Choosing a generic name: “FastCar” or “EcoDrive” might get rejected for being too descriptive.
- Ignoring similar marks: Even if the spelling is different, similar sounding or looking marks can create conflict.
- Not responding to objections: Failing to respond to objections within the stipulated time leads to abandonment.
- Copying brand elements: Using existing logos or names can result in legal action.
📈 SEO Tip: How to Optimize Your Brand for Online Discovery
In today’s digital world, your brand name is often searched before it’s experienced. Here’s how trademark and SEO go hand-in-hand:
- Register a domain that matches your trademark.
- Include Class 12 keywords like “cars,” “motorcycles,” or “vehicle accessories” on your website.
- Use schema markup for better visibility on Google.
- Ensure consistent use of the trademark across all platforms—website, social media, product packaging, etc.
🔁 Renewal and Maintenance of Class 12 Trademarks
A registered trademark is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed every decade thereafter.
- Renewal Window: Begin renewal within 6 months before expiry.
- Missed Deadline: You can still renew within 6 months post-expiry with an additional fee.
- Non-Renewal Consequence: Your trademark will be removed from the registry, and competitors might claim it.
🏁 Final Thoughts: Protect Your Automotive Brand Early
Whether you’re building India’s next great motorcycle, designing luxury electric cars, or selling spare parts for commercial vehicles, Trademark Class 12 is your legal safeguard.
Registering your mark early not only safeguards your identity but also builds consumer trust, brand loyalty, and market reputation.
🚀 Need Help Registering a Class 12 Trademark?
At VMK Professionals, we simplify the trademark process for automotive and transport equipment brands. From checking availability to filing applications and responding to objections, our expert team ensures your Class 12 trademark journey is smooth and successful.
📞 Contact Us Today to get your Class 12 trademark registered with expert assistance!