Carmaker Ford seems set to get into the blockchain and metaverse, if a recent trademark filing is to be believed. What might its future look like?
Ford and the metaverse: a history in the making?
The move was noted by Mike Kondoudis, a trademark specialist. He reported that Ford has registered 19 trademarks for several of its products and specialties:
If we look at these “trademarks”, we see that Ford intends to transpose some of its models into the metaverse. The manufacturer confirms that it will offer “virtual cars, SUVs, trucks and vans, vehicle parts and accessories, and apparel”. The filings mention “non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and collectible digital objects”.
A future marketplace for NFTs?
Ford will apparently offer a marketplace in the metaverse, where enthusiasts will be able to obtain brand-related items, certified as NFTs. The automaker also mentions “computer programs” that will allow access to “virtual worlds”.
Information is of course scarce, as Ford has not officially communicated about its entry into the metaverse. It should also be noted that these deposits are only a first step that does not necessarily augur a final project.
However, the move is in line with other companies in the automotive sector, which have been turning to blockchain in recent years. Last July, we learned that Mercedes-Benz was launching on Polygon. The same month, it was the luxury carmaker Lamborghini that also showed interest in the subject. The possible arrival of Ford in the metaverse is therefore particularly symbolic, and continues this trend.