For this post, I’ll focus on the origination of some American auto brands.
Their names are often linked to their inventor or developer. Henry
Ford may be the best-known example. However, the Edsel, named for his only son,
was intended to be a successful separate brand but appeared during a recession and is now remembered as the term for a project or idea that failed.
Scottish-born Detroit-based inventor, David Buick, founded his Buick Motor Car Co. in 1903. His cars benefitted from the overhead valve engine
he invented, a major improvement still with us.
Cadillacs are named after
Antoine Laumet de la Mothe Cadillac, the French nobleman who founded Detroit in
1703.
Industrialist William Durant developed General Motors and named
the Chevrolet for a popular, fearless Swiss race driver involved with his organization for a time. Besides, he liked the ring of the name.
Pontiacs were produced by the Pontiac Buggy Co., originally a horseless carriage
manufacturer, and named for a renowned Great Lakes area Ottawa Indian war
chief.
Lincoln Motors was
founded in 1917 by Henry Leland. An engineer, Leland named his car and company after Abraham Lincoln, the first presidential
candidate for whom he ever voted (in 1864).
There are enough car makes and models for a l-o-n-g
list, so before this puts you to sleep, take a look in your garage? Did
the name of a make or model name influence your purchase? (I hope not. Mine is a Nissan
Rogue).
One Freshman English textbook contains a great essay
teaching classification through matching cars to people’s stations in life. If they
could afford them, young men drove fast, racy sport cars. Young marrieds moved
up to coupes or sedans, and families expanded into station wagons or vans.
My mid-size SUV matches my happy stage of life and is great for projects and grandkids
If you invented and sold a new car or model,
how would you choose a a name? Would you emphasize the maker? Or its traits?
Names that might be true but should not be used include, Guzzler, Beast, Auto
Loan, Budget Breaker, Mortgaged to the Hilt, Mechanic’s Nightmare. Attractive
names that exist or have existed include, Runabout, Wind, Zephyr, Voyageur, Nomad,
Mountaineer, and many more.
Now, please tell us about
the best car you’ve ever owned, or name the future car of your dreams. Happy driving, and have fun!
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