Skip to main content

The True Meaning Of Car Company Names

If you've ever wondered about the history behind car company names, here's a chance to find some information.


For more than a hundred years, the humble car has been part of our lives. From being a means of getting from A to B, many of them have gone on to become iconic design classics. The names of many of the manufacturers have become bywords for various qualities and characteristics, but have you ever wondered where those names come from?

Many car companies are named after their founders, of course. They include Ford, Renault, Citroen, Buick and Rolls-Royce. The latter was a collaboration between electrical engineer Henry Royce and car dealer Charles Rolls, who met each other in 1906. Some other company names have rather more obscure origins, however.

VOLVO

The Swedish manufacturer began building automobiles back in 1927, and in the ensuing years has become a major worldwide brand. The name is Latin in origin, and means ‘I roll’. They make a wide selection of cars, every one of which is well known for being among the safest on the road.

BMW

One of the most famous names in the whole industry, BMW stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke. The company is based in Munich. The company, one of Germany’s largest, employs more than 95,000 people. These days, they have become something of a byword for comfort and style.

FIAT

The Italian company began trading way back in 1899, and is almost as old as the car itself. The name is an acronym which stands for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, which in English means Italian Automobile Factory of Turin. FIAT manufacture vehicles to suit all budgets and all tastes.

SAAB

Another acronym-based company name, this one being the Swedish translation of Swedish Aeroplane Company limited. Saab was founded in 1937 in Trollhättan, a city that lies 75km north of Gothenburg. The company’s cars are known for their sleek styling and understated elegance.

SUBARU

The Japanese car manufacturer has been in existence since the 1950s, so is a relative newcomer. The name is from the Japanese word for the Pleiades star cluster, which is represented on the company’s logo. Subaru make a variety of vehicles, but are perhaps best known for cars with high performance engines.

MITSUBISHI

The Mitsubishi conglomerate produces an awful lot more than cars. They are also involved in shipping, banking, food and chemicals. Their name has several rough translations, including three diamonds, hence their distinctive logo. In recent years, Mitsubishi cars have enjoyed a boom in popularity in many countries around the world.

Popular posts from this blog

A Super Funny Joke - The Boy And The Priest

A housewife takes a lover during the day, while her husband is at work. Unknown to her, her 9 year old son was hiding in the closet. Her husband came home unexpectedly, so she hid her lover in the closet. The boy now has company. Boy: Dark in here.. Man: Yes it is. Boy: I have a baseball. Man: That’s nice. Boy: Want to buy it? Man: No, thanks. Boy: My dad’s outside. Man: OK, how much? Boy: $250. In the next few weeks, it happens again that the boy and the mom’s lover are in the closet together. Boy: Dark in here. Man: Yes, it is. Boy: I have a baseball glove. Man: How much? Boy: $750. Man: Fine. A few days later, the father says to the boy, “Grab your glove. Let’s go outside and toss the baseball.” The boy say's, “I can’t. I sold them.” The father asks, “How much did you sell them for?” The son says, “$1,000.” The father says, “That’s terrible to overcharge your friends like that, that is way more than those two things cost. I’m going to

Earn Money By Becoming A BigRock Affiliate

About BIGROCK Affiliate Program The BigRock Affiliate program is an online marketing program where affiliates promote BigRock products to their friends, family, customers etc and are paid attractive commissions for every successful purchase. Once you sign-up, you will receive a URL from BigRock (http://.bigrock.in). This URL will be your website from where you can sell BigRock products and start earning Commissions. In case you already have a Website / Blog, all you need to do is place BigRock banners or text links on your website, blog, facebook/twitter page and drive visitors to your unique URL and earn commissions. What products can you promote? As an affiliate, you can sell all BigRock Products. The Products include: Domain Name Registration Website Hosting Email Hosting Do-it-Yourself Website Builder Tool Build-it-For-Me Professional Web Design Service Digital Certificates. You can Signup by following this direct link :  http://www.bigrock.in/affiliate

Locked Keys - Blonde Joke

A blonde walks into a gas station and says to the manager, "I have locked my keys in my car. Do you have a coat hanger or something I can stick through the window to unlock the door?" The manager gives the blonde a bent coat hanger. A few minutes later, he goes out to check on her. As her approaches the blonde working the hanger in the window, he notices another blonde inside the car, shouting "No, no! A little to the left."