Ford sues tuning company for 'aging' new Bronco model

The case revolves around Vintage Modern's customizing of new Ford Broncos to give them a more vintage look, which Ford claims violates its intellectual property rights. Coincidentally, the lawsuit was filed on Halloween.

The lawsuit was filed in a North Georgia court, and Ford has requested a jury trial, a potentially risky move for Ford, as Vintage Modern’s argument that it simply “customized” the Broncos in its own way could sway a jury.

Ford alleges that Vintage Modern made unauthorized changes to the Bronco's design, causing confusion between the two companies' products. This action not only damages Ford's brand image but also causes economic damage. However, there is a rather suspicious detail: the Vintage Broncos' logo, which looks like Ford's version of Temu.

A Ford spokesperson said Vintage Broncos’ arbitrarily modifying and reselling new Ford Broncos as ‘classics’ is misleading and unfairly exploits the brand values ​​that Ford and Bronco have built over decades. “We have a responsibility to stop such behavior, as it not only harms customers but also damages Ford’s reputation and significant investments,” the spokesperson said.

Vintage Modern, however, has a different take. The company says it’s simply modernizing the Bronco, combining classic aesthetics with modern technology. They claim their vehicles retain the same safety and comfort features of a new vehicle, like brakes, traction control, stability control, and a rearview camera. They also come with modern amenities like air conditioning, app connectivity, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Essentially, it’s everything the latest Bronco has to offer, but in a classic package.

Interestingly, it seems that Vintage Modern has gone to great lengths to avoid any issues with Ford. The company has used its own branding, made clear statements that its products are not associated with Ford, and even designed a different logo. Among them, they have stated that “Vintage Modern is not sponsored, affiliated, approved or endorsed by any automobile company including Ford Motor Company.”

The case raises questions about the line between car customization and copyright infringement. Is changing the appearance of a car considered a new creative work or simply copying someone else's design?

Legal experts say this is a complex case and the final outcome will depend on how the court assesses the similarity between the Vintage Modern's design and Ford's original design.

This lawsuit has not only attracted the attention of car enthusiasts, but it could also affect the tuning market in general. If Ford wins the case, other tuning companies will have to think more carefully when customizing cars with distinctive designs.

The confrontation between Ford and Vintage Modern has opened a heated debate about copyright, innovation and consumer rights. The outcome of this lawsuit will have a major impact on the future of the automotive and car tuning industries.