Not All Launches Go Smoothly

Ferrari’s all-new electric vehicle, the Luce, appears to be on track for launch, with the company teasing interior details and even releasing a YouTube series ahead of its debut. However, a potential hurdle has emerged after Mazda filed a trademark for “Luce” in Japan, which could force Ferrari to fight for the nameplate.

The Prancing Horse chose the name Luce because it is the Italian word for “light,” a fitting choice for a fully electric model that won’t feature the loud V8 or V12 exhaust notes enthusiasts are accustomed to.

Coincidentally, Mazda has long used the Luce nameplate, dating back to the 1960s when it served as the brand’s flagship luxury sedan. The model competed with rivals such as the Honda Legend and was sold in the U.S. as the 929.

In addition, Mazda referenced the Luce when it unveiled the Vision Coupe concept in 2017.

Mazda Steps In

According to Australia’s CarExpert, Mazda filed the trademark weeks after Ferrari announced the Luce. Given Mazda’s naming conventions with models like the CX-5, the filing is unlikely to signal a new model, but rather an effort to protect the rights to the name.

While how this trademark dispute will unfold remains to be seen, it is expected to affect only the Japanese market, meaning Ferrari could still use the Luce name elsewhere. If so, it wouldn’t be the first time a car has carried a different name in Japan. Even Mazda’s own two-seater sports car is called the Roadster in its home market, while it has long been known in the U.S. as the MX-5 Miata. A similar naming issue once affected Volvo, which had planned to use S4 before switching to S40 because Audi had already reserved the designation.

If Luce Doesn’t See The Light

Something to watch, though, if Ferrari is forced to change the name, is what the replacement would be. Luce feels perfectly tailored to the model’s concept, much like the 12Cilindri, which literally takes its name from the F140 V12’s 12 cylinders. A literal alternative could be Elettrica, derived from electricity, a name the automaker previously used during the development phase.

What we know for now is that Ferrari is set to unveil the Luce in May 2026, with an expected output of more than 1,000 horsepower from a quad-motor powertrain. That would place it in the same performance territory as EVs like the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT.

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Ferrari’s First EV May Need a New Name — Because of Mazda