Honda Super Cub first vehicle to get 3D trademark in Japan

Honda Motor Co has announced that the Japan Patent Office has granted a three-dimensional trademark registration for the shape of the Super Cub, Honda's popular and long-selling scooter. This is the first time in Japan that the shape of a motorcycle or any other product from an automaker has been registered as a three-dimensional trademark.

Since its introduction in 1958, Honda has maintained the consistent design concept of the Super Cub while continuously achieving functional improvements. As a result, Honda says most consumers who see the design of the Super Cub recognise it as a Honda product, and that became one of the determining factors for the Japan Patent Office to grant the trademark.

The Super Cub has been sold in more than 160 countries and Honda currently produces it at 15 production plants in 14 countries around the world including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, China, Nigeria and Japan. Cumulative worldwide production of the Super Cub has reached 87 million units as of March 2014, which makes it a motorcycle with the largest production volume in the world.