# When (if at all) will we run out of new names for vehicles **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 10, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398 "2025-03-10T16:48:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/21 "2025-03-10T20:30:20Z")
Toyota has been selling the Crown model for seventy years, so the Corolla isn’t such a big change. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/22 "2025-03-10T20:33:40Z")
We’ll probably never run out of names for new cars. Not only are there an incredibly vast number of names from different sources and different languages, but even though new car models are always being introduced, entire old lines are always being retired, so there’s a big repository of names that can be re-used by the original manufacturer of the retired lines. For example, all the names ever used for Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Plymouth, or Mercury car lines could be re-used if the names are deemed to have a suitable _cachet_ in today’s culture. It might actually make more sense to designate new car models with systematic letters and numbers the way Mercedes has always been doing it. More informative and less frivolous. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/23 "2025-03-10T20:34:37Z")
Yeah, I didn’t mention the Toyota Crown because it wasn’t sold in the US until recently, but that was basically my point. Pretty much all of Toyota’s mainstream sedans are named something that means “crown” in various languages. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/24 "2025-03-10T22:03:02Z")
There’s been a history of using model names for unrelated cars. E.g., the [Dodge Lancer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Lancer) name was used for 3 different models. Plus Mitsubishi used “Lancer” for the global name for a line of cars for many decades. Some were labelled Mirages for the US market. Adam Savage’s Tested channel recently had an episode where Adam talked about the blowback they got from old boxy Corona fans for ruining one for their ejection seat segment. I looked it up. Somewhere in my search I saw that some other company also came out with a Corona car label but I can’t find that reference again. I don’t think there’ll ever be a point when Ford re-uses Edsel. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/25 "2025-03-10T22:11:25Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > For instance, how long will it be before we run out of the codes for YouTube videos? Some cars have names that look like YouTube codes. The Toyota bZ4X, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/26 "2025-03-10T22:14:46Z")
Regarding the re-use of previous names, I was assuming – perhaps incorrectly – that the manufacturer of the original vehicle would have the most legal leeway to re-use the name in the future. Car names aren’t exactly copyrighted, but I think Ford would have a big problem if some other car company suddenly produced a “Mustang”, and Tesla’s Model 3 was originally supposed to be “Model E” until Ford threatened legal action, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/27 "2025-03-10T22:25:06Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > _Purple Monkey Dishwasher_ is already taken. As long as I can name my new and utterly indifferent IPA _Correct Horse Battery Staple_, then my dreams of starting a goldmine of a microbrewery are intact! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/28 "2025-03-10T22:38:33Z")
My original name for my microbrew was going to be _DudeBräu_, although _TechBräu_ might be more lucrative these days. ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/29 "2025-03-10T22:44:12Z")
Curiously, all but one of those are small vans (and the other is a pickup)! What’s with that?! My daughter had a friend named Sierra and her sister was named Sienna. I asked if they had a brother named Jimmy. Nobody laughed. (OK, no, I’m not quite dumb enough to actually ask that!) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/30 "2025-03-10T22:49:57Z")
Which suggests that from now on, when some Doper sticks two to four unrelated words together in a novel / surreal form, instead of some poster coming back with “Band Name!”, we should now come back with “Microbrew beer name!” I’m in! You? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/31 "2025-03-10T22:51:07Z")
> [@phs3](#): > > My daughter had a friend named Sierra and her sister was named Sienna. I asked if they had a brother named Jimmy. Nobody laughed. > > (OK, no, I’m not quite dumb enough to actually ask that!) Good one. Did they live in a town where GM / GMC had a design or manufacturing presence? ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/32 "2025-03-10T23:06:24Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Ford already made a Mustang II back in the 70s. Don’t forget they made a Maverick in the 70s, too. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/33 "2025-03-10T23:07:49Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > My original name for my microbrew was going to be _DudeBräu_, although _TechBräu_ might be more lucrative these days. Sacramento is home to a bar called [LowBräu](https://lowbrausacramento.com/). ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/34 "2025-03-10T23:23:46Z")
Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/35 "2025-03-10T23:38:00Z")
Thinking about it some more, the really interesting moment will not be when the only remaining words are the ones on commonly-censored lists, it will be the period just before that - where the best remaining words are still far from optimal, so we will have things like the Chevrolet Dingus, the Hyundai Awkward and the Dacia Bumbershoot. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/36 "2025-03-10T23:48:20Z")
There’s the (real) Toyota Alphard, which almost sounds like it should be banned on this board. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/37 "2025-03-10T23:48:42Z")
The menswear industry already ran out of good names. Hence **[LILEKS :: Institute :: The Dorcus Collection](https://lileks.com/institute/dorcus/index.html)**. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/38 "2025-03-11T01:16:16Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > They can always go the [Amazon brand names route](https://slate.com/technology/2020/10/amazon-brand-names-pukemark-demonlick-china.html). Who wouldn’t want the latest Toyota MZJEI or the Honda KKVNB? Pronounceability is overrated Toyota bZ4X (I kid you not ) ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/39 "2025-03-11T01:38:05Z")
And who remembers the short lived [Merkur XR4Ti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkur_XR4Ti)? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398/40 "2025-03-11T01:39:07Z")
Living proof in the marketing / product naming world that two wrongs do not make a right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-if-at-all-will-we-run-out-of-new-names-for-vehicles/1015398.md?page=3)