Nissan has filed a trademark application for the term “E-Trail,” potentially hinting at an upcoming electric or electrified vehicle.
The application, first spotted by CarMoses, was submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 15 for use on automobiles, though specific details about any potential model it may be associated with remain unknown.
Nissan already markets the Rogue compact crossover under the X-Trail name in some regions, leading to speculation that the E-Trail designation could be an electrified version of this popular model.
However, the name could also signify a new off-road-oriented electric powertrain. Nissan has previously introduced the E-4orce designation for an electrified all-wheel-drive system found in the Ariya electric crossover, and the E-Trail designation might extend this concept to a more rugged application. A potential off-road-focused Ariya variant could be the first to bear the E-Trail badge.
2023 Nissan Ariya e-4orce
Nissan also renewed its trademark for the “Xterra” name late last year. The Xterra was a well-regarded body-on-frame SUV discontinued in 2015, and a modernized version could provide another avenue for the E-Trail designation, possibly as an electrified or hybrid iteration of a new Xterra.
While the trademark filing suggests Nissan is exploring options in the EV and off-road segments, it does not guarantee that the name will make it to production. Automakers frequently register trademarks to secure potential future branding or prevent competitors from using similar names. Whether the E-Trail name will be seen on a new vehicle remains uncertain, but Nissan’s continued focus on electrification and off-road capability makes it a possibility worth watching.
