Trademark LTX, possible new GM V8 block for the aftermarket.

General Motors has moved to protect the name "LTX" for use in automotive engines.

A search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database shows that GM applied for trademark protection for LTX on January 10.

This was a little more than a week before the January 20 announcement that GM would invest $854 million in the production of its next-generation small-block V-8 engine.

However, the LTX name is most likely for a new aftermarket engine block for the current LT small-block V-8, as opposed to the next-generation small-block V-8.

GM sells engine blocks for various LS small-block V-8s under the LSX designation. These are popular in the aftermarket and GM uses them in the Chevrolet COPO Camaro drag special.

If GM does decide to offer an aftermarket engine block for the LT V-8, it will most likely be made of aluminum, similar to the production LT V-8s such as the LT2, LT4, and LT5.

Of course, protecting a trademark does not necessarily mean it will be used. It may simply be to preserve the trademarked term for possible future use or to discourage competitors from using it. In fact, GM has applied for trademark protection for LTX multiple times before. The previous occasions were in 2016 and 2013.