Survey Finds Many Drivers Have Special Nickname For Their Vehicle
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A survey out this month let us know you're not alone if you affectionately call your car by a special name.
Automakers spend quite a bit of time and effort badging their cars, putting what they hope will be enduring names on the rear hood, like Mustang or Corvette.
But what about your ride?
Nationwide Insurance found nearly 25% of drivers call their cars by special names, and women are more likely to have a nickname for their cars than men.
"I always call mine a she," said one woman. "And I always pet her and say 'she's my baby.'"
"I had a black Volvo 760," said another. "I named her She-Ra, after She-Ra from He-man."
And her previous ride?
'I had a red Datsun 280Z something," she said. "Her name was Wonder Woman."
Men are more likely to name their cars for historical, movie or TV characters.
'My best friend has a name for his car," said one man. "Back when Dr. House was big, he called his Greg, or the Greganator, after Dr. House."
More than 30% of the respondents were inspired by the vehicle's color.
"My mother called her old Pontiac 'Old Blue.'"
But not everyone has a wicked nickname for their vehicle.
"We call my car my car, she calls her car her car," said one couple from Maine. "We're not very interesting subjects."
Nationwide's "Meet My Baby" contest encourages owners to submit names and descriptions of their 'baby.'
