DETROIT, Feb 10 — Ford Motor Co sued luxury automaker Ferrari yesterday for trademark infringement after Ferrari named its 2011 Formula 1 racing car the "F150."

Ferrari's F150 logo bears striking resemblance to the one on Ford's F-150 pickup truck, the top-selling vehicle in the United States, Ford said in a complaint filed in federal court.

"Ferrari has misappropriated the F-150 trademark in naming its new racing vehicle the 'F150' in order to capitalize on and profit from the substantial goodwill that Ford has developed in the F-150 trademark," Ford said in a complaint filed in US District Court in Detroit.

Ford is asking the court to bar Ferrari from using the name. The automaker is also seeking unspecified damages, including damages of US$100,000 (RM303,000) under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act.

Fiat SpA has an 85 per cent stake in Ferrari, and management control of Chrysler Group LLC, in which it has a 25 per cent stake.

Ford and Ferrari could not be immediately reached for comment. According to the complaint, the two automakers have a "legendary history as rivals in auto racing."

Ferrari set up a website — http://www.ferrarif150.com — to promote the racing vehicle.

"The choice of name stems from Ferrari's desire to pay tribute to this year's one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the unification of Italy," Ferrari said, according to a January 25 press release posted on http://www.ferrarif150.com. — Reuters

 

EINDHOVEN, Feb 10 — World Cup runners-up Netherlands cruised to a 3-1 home win over Austria in a friendly yesterday.

Wesley Sneijder opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a fine volley over goalkeeper Juergen Macho after combining well with Theo Janssen to get through the Austrian defence.

Forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar doubled the lead early in the second half with his 10th goal in his last six matches when he got the ball in at the near post after Macho misjudged a cross from left back Erik Pieters.

Dirk Kuyt added a third from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time, while Marko Arnautovic followed suit at the other end with six minutes remaining to give the visitors a consolation goal.

The Dutch had been playing without regular starters Rafael van der Vaart, Nigel de Jong and Robin van Persie, who had withdrawn from the squad.

"The way we approached and played this match said a lot about this team," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk told reporters.

"After a year with a World Cup and then a series of qualifiers it might be tough to focus on a friendly like this.

"But despite a sloppy start with some bad passes my team showed spirit and if you understand that you also have to win matches like this you are on course."

The Dutch are top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group E with 12 points after four matches and play second-placed Hungary, who have nine points, twice in quick succession on March 25 and 29. — Reuters