Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Nearly half of Brits surveyed name their cars... do you? [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/nearly-half-of-brits-surveyed-name-their-cars-do-you-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/nearly-half-of-brits-surveyed-name-their-cars-do-you-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/nearly-half-of-brits-surveyed-name-their-cars-do-you-w-poll/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cars movie poster

A new study commissioned by British parking lot operator NCP has found that nearly half of all UK drivers name their vehicles. Researchers questioned a total of 3,000 UK drivers ranging in age from 17 to 45 to determine whether or not they have a special moniker for their vehicle. The study also took the time to look into which names drivers chose.

In the UK, most drivers tend to prefer names derived from celebrities, with 24 percent of those surveyed opting for high-profile labels. Prince William and Lady Gaga are apparently two of the most popular vehicle names at the moment, though drivers also favor cartoon characters, sports figures and politicians.

Interestingly enough, three percent of those surveyed say they name their vehicle after coworkers. It makes us wonder what kind of vehicle Dwight Schrute from The Office would be. Clearly, not everyone feels attached enough to their car to give it a name, with 20 percent of those surveyed saying those who do are "sad." Some people just don't know how to have any fun, eh?

Our staff's driveways are filled with plenty of unique vehicular characters, including one very determined '78 International Scout Terra that goes by the name Death Proof. Do you name your vehicles? Let the world know what you call your car in the Comments, but not before taking part in our brief poll below.

View Poll

Nearly half of Brits surveyed name their cars... do you? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car namescar namingnaming a carNPCukThu, 22 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20131737/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/22/nearly-half-of-brits-surveyed-name-their-cars-do-you-w-poll/20131737/article-detail.xml 20131737 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/cars-movie-poster_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/cars-movie-poster.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Ford dealers say Kuga should be named Escape in U.S. - Do you agree? [w/POLL]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/30/report-ford-dealers-say-kuga-should-be-named-escape-in-u-s-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/30/report-ford-dealers-say-kuga-should-be-named-escape-in-u-s-d/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/30/report-ford-dealers-say-kuga-should-be-named-escape-in-u-s-d/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2008 Ford Kuga in front, possible 2011 Ford Kuga out back - click above for high-res image gallery

Here's the skinny: Ford's current Escape is heading the way of the dodo bird. In its place will be the Kuga, a much less dowdy looking compact CUV that should compete nicely with the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. The European designed 2011 Kuga will be built here in the United States at a Louisville, Kentucky plant. All this we already know and have known for some time now.

What we don't know is what Ford will call the Kuga when it goes on sale here in 2011. Kuga is obviously one option, but so, apparently, is Escape. According to Wards Auto, Ford's domestic dealers are pushing for Escape. "I believe the Escape is a great vehicle with a great reputation and that it would be a big mistake to kill the Escape name," says one San Diego based dealer.

Others point back to Ford's decision to drop the Taurus name in favor of Five Hundred - part of the brand's strange decision to make all cars start with the letter "F" (Focus, Fusion, Five Hundred - though the Mustang never became Fustang) and all SUVs and crossovers start with the letter "E" (Edge, Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Excursion). Though, of course, reverting back to Five Hundred was supposed to drum up some long lost brand equity/nostalgia, which is the first thing CEO Alan Mulally did when he changed Five Hundred back to Taurus. Very complicated stuff, no?

So, Kuga or Escape? While there are many good arguments for Escape, here's one for Kuga - Ford's One World strategy. Simply put, rather than having one Focus for Europe and one for North America, Ford is working toward offering one global vehicle per a given segment - and that's it. And naming one car one thing for one market and one car another for another is essentially a monkey wrench in the plan. What should Ford do, and more importantly what will they do? Place your vote in our poll below and leave any further thoughts in Comments.


View Poll


Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Kuga


[Source: Wards Auto]

Report: Ford dealers say Kuga should be named Escape in U.S. - Do you agree? [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 Ford Escape2011 Ford Kuga2011FordEscape2011FordKugablue ovalBlueOvalcar namescar namingCarNamesCarNamingEscapeFive HundredFiveHundredFordFord EscapeFord Five HundredFord KugaFord TaurusFordEscapeFordFiveHundredFordKugaFordTaurusKugaTaurusWed, 30 Dec 2009 15:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19298376/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/30/report-ford-dealers-say-kuga-should-be-named-escape-in-u-s-d/19298376/article-detail.xml 19298376 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/630kuga_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/630kuga.jpg <![CDATA[Lincoln MKZ gets another name change]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/24/lincoln-mkz-gets-another-name-change/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/24/lincoln-mkz-gets-another-name-change/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/24/lincoln-mkz-gets-another-name-change/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Will a Lincoln by any other name sell as sweetly?


The Zephyr/MKZ has racked up a good number of sales for Lincoln despite the brand's best efforts to confuse buyers over its name. Originally dubbed the Zephyr for its inaugural year of sales, Lincoln decided to quickly change the car's moniker to MKZ, pronounced "Mark Z," so that it would better jive with upcoming models like the MKX luxury crossover utility vehicle. After an earful of complaints from dealers, however, Lincoln's entry-level luxury sedan will henceforth be known as the (drum roll, please...) MKZ, pronounced "em-kay-zee." Funny, that's how we've been pronouncing "em-kay-zee" this whole time. Talk about a solution looking for a problem... sheesh.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Lincoln MKZ gets another name change originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jul 2006 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car monikercar namesCarMonikerCarNamesMKZmodel nameModelNamenamingZephyrMon, 24 Jul 2006 12:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/646169/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/07/24/lincoln-mkz-gets-another-name-change/646169/article-detail.xml 646169 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/06zephyr_52_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/06zephyr_52.jpg <![CDATA[POLL RESULTS: Name that Volkswagen]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/29/poll-results-name-that-volkswagen/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/29/poll-results-name-that-volkswagen/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/29/poll-results-name-that-volkswagen/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The votes have been tallied in our Name the Volkswagen poll. Among the five names that Volkswagen has offered as possible monikers for its next small SUV, one stood out among the rest with 28-percent of the vote: Nanuk. Other names, such as Tiguan (a combination of the words "tiger" and "iguana" and one bad ass creature we wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley) and Samun were close behind with 23- and 24-percent of the vote, respectively.

We've learned, however, that none of VW's proposed monikers hits anywhere near the mark with Autoblog readers. Remembering that VW has a penchant for naming its cars using wind as a theme, so it may be that Samun, a hot desert wind that blows in North Africa, has the best shot of becoming affixed to the SUV's rear end. According to the company, however, it will stand by whatever name Autobild readers choose. Are you ready to drive away in a VW Tiguan?

POLL RESULTS: Name that Volkswagen originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jun 2006 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobildcar namesCarNamesnamingvoteThu, 29 Jun 2006 18:54:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/637992/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/06/29/poll-results-name-that-volkswagen/637992/article-detail.xml 637992 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/vwnamingpoll_thumbnail.png http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/vwnamingpoll.png -1 2