Lucas Bell 
While the entire industry may be focused on the debut of the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport SUVs at the moment, Fiat Chrysler appears to have some new products of their own up their sleeve. According to data from the US Patent and Trademark Office, the Detroit automaker has recently filed to trademark the Carbide nameplate. Considering the timing of the Jeep Wrangler 392 Concept, we doubt this is a coincidence. Although, it could just be a trim level at the end of the day.
According to the USPTO, FCA US LLC filed the principal register trademark on July 1, specifically noting that the trademark is intended for use with a passenger automobile. While we aren’t exactly sure how the company plans to use the Carbide nameplate, it appears that it could represent a new trim level for one of FCA’s products.
A carbide is a chemical compound that is created from carbon and a metal, and are formed at temperatures exceeding 1500 °C. These compounds are used in all sorts of commercial and industrial applications, such as in the construction of surgical instruments, as they are more resistant to pitting and oxidation than other metallic compounds. Basically, carbides are really tough, which is why the Carbide nameplate could find its way to one of FCA’s off-roading products. Perhaps feeling the pressure of the expansive new list of offerings from Ford, Jeep will find itself with a new Wrangler model to help solidify its position at the top of the segment. That said, this name makes sense for a Ram pickup truck.
It is also important to note that automakers don’t always utilize the names that they trademark. Remember when we all were convinced that that baby Bronco would wear the Scout nameplate? At this point any sort of predictions related to the Carbide nameplate are conjecture. That said, it would be even cooler if FCA found a way to incorporate carbides into the model’s construction somehow. For now though, we’re just going to have to wait and see what FCA has planned for us.
