CAR NAME THEMES
Theme Innovation
The quintessential name Fusion
A few car names are explicit in referencing an innovative new technology (e.g., Quattro), but most speak to innovation in a more subtle and general way (e.g., Lumina). Because lets face it: very few technologies are groundbreaking enough to name the whole car after them. And even when the technologies are truly revolutionary, the strategy usually doesn't make sense because the car will almost certainly outlive the novelty of the innovation.
Consider "hybrid" technologies - perhaps the most exciting automotive innovation in years. While the innovation has inspired the adoption of some strongly suggestive "hybrid" names (e.g., Versa), most hybrid car names have a relatively loose association to the technology (e.g., Prius, Vue, and Yaris). Calling a hybrid car "Hybro" today might be cool, but when ALL cars are hybrid (or utilize an even better technology), that name could be an anchor.
Whether the car name is closely tied to the technology or more general in nature, communicating innovation serves the same purpose: to imply a modern, cutting-edge driving experience.
These aren't your father's car names.
| Ford | Aspire | Direct your hopes toward achieving something |
| Ford | Crusader | To lead |
| Honda | Domani | Italian word for "tomorrow" |
| Mitsubishi | Endeavor | Attempting to achieve a goal, an undertaking |
| Chevy | Equinox | When the sun crosses the celestial equator - sounds innovative |
| Cadillac | Escalade | Meaning "scaling fort walls with ladders as in a military attack" |
| Ford | Flex | Speaks to a versatile crossover SUV |
| Ford | Fusion | The coming together of something |
| Hyundai | Genesis | The beginning of something new |
| Toyota | Innova | Derived from innovation |
| Honda | Insight | The insight to innovate |
| Acura | Integra | Coining of "integration" and "integrity" |
| Toyota | Kluger | German word for "intelligent" |
| Chevy | Lumina | Plural for "lumen" |
| Ford | Maverick | Independent-minded |
| Dodge | Neon | From the Greek meaning "new" |
| Toyota | Porte | French for "door" |
| Honda | Prelude | To come before |
| Lincoln | Premiere | First in importance or order |
| Toyota | Previa | Probably suggests previous, as in before others |
| Toyota | Progres | French for "progress" |
| Toyota | Revo | Short for revolutionary |
| Nissan | Rogue | Perhaps to suggest free-thinking, independent |
| Toyota | Vanguard | At the front, the most forward-looking |
| Pontiac | Ventura | Italian for "good fortune" |
| Toyota | Vios | Greek for "life" |
| Chevy | Viva | Meaning "long live!" |
| Saturn | Vue | A thing to behold, a great view of the road, etc. |
