Automobiles named after places are a popular option among automobile marketing departments. There are several options for names based on mountains, towns, states, and even seas. Almost every automaker had at least one vehicle named after a geographical area that had some link to the company’s history or product.
Some of the dozens of such vehicles were successful, while others were not. Here are 10 of the greatest and most renowned instances of automobiles being named after places.
Kia Rio
The shorter form of this next location appears to match the fun compact automobile it is named after. This city is the second-most populated in Brazil and is known for its yearly Carnival festival and vibrant culture. The area boasts a rich cultural and architectural past, as well as beautiful beaches, which are all guarded by the iconic Cristo Redentor monument on Corcovado.
Kia’s zippy Rio subcompact car has been in production since 1999 and is now in its fourth iteration. The Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter Gamma engine shared with the Hyundai Venue, which has EPA ratings of 33 mpg city / 41 mpg highway.
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Ferrari
The following vehicle is an Italian sports automobile named after the American state associated with sun, sand, and surf, narrowing the field to coastal locations. To say that the state is also most connected with filmmaking and fame may be giving too many hints.
From 2008 until 2017, the Ferrari California was built in Italy. Although the name refers to the historical 250 GT California Spyder, California is a fully modern design that includes a few “firsts” for Ferrari, including the first retractable roof and front-engine V8 in the series.
GMC Denali
The next vehicle is another vehicle that takes its name from North America’s tallest peak, which is located in the 49th state. Previously, this mountain was known by the name given by European settlers. McKinley. The United States Department of the Interior formally acknowledged its new classification in August 2015.
Denali is the name given by General Motors Corporation to their top-of-the-line trucks and SUVs. From the turn of the century until the present, the GMC brand portfolio included Sierra Denalis (pickups) and Yukon Denalis (SUVs).
Ford
The first vehicle from this American company presented here, the name of this vintage automobile is one used for several towns in the United States, connoting clear sky and mountains.Its eponymous city is located near the mouth of the Monongahela River, and the city’s name is also used for a hotel brand in the United States.
The Ford Fairmont is a rear-drive small car that was produced from 1977 to 1983. It was originally offered as a 2-door sedan, a 4-door sedan, or a 5-door wagon. The Futura 2-door coupe, with its unique bulky “wrap over” B-pillar, was later added to the model line.
Hyundai
The Hyundai Santa Fe, named after New Mexico’s capital city, has been renamed for the 2019 model year. The Santa Fe was once a three-row seven-passenger SUV, and the Santa Fe Sport was a two-row five-passenger SUV.The Santa Fe Sport is now known as the Santa Fe, while the bigger three-row vehicle is known as the Santa Fe XL. Yes, we understand that it is perplexing.
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Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma, named after Tacoma, Washington, is a popular pickup on the market. This workhorse is built for off-roading and hauling, with a towing capability of 6,800 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,440 pounds. The body is made of high-strength steel and is meant to resist the roughest circumstances. A Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control are also standard on the 2018 Toyota Tacoma.
Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe was named after Lake Tahoe, which is partially located in Tahoe City, California. It’s a three-row, full-size SUV that can accommodate up to seven people. The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe has a best-in-class V8 highway fuel efficiency rating of 23 mpg, making it an excellent choice for a family adventure vehicle.
In addition to carrying the entire family, the Tahoe can tow up to 8,600 pounds when outfitted with the Max Trailering Package.
Bentley Mulsanne
Bentley wanted to be quite particular when naming the Mulsanne after the legendary Mulsanne Straight on the Le Mans racing circuit. The Mulsanne Straight is a nearly four-mile-long straight at the Circuit de la Sarthe that serves as a public road when not in use for racing.
Over the years, the legendary British carmaker has had a flurry of success at Le Mans, winning six races. Such an accomplishment needs to be recognized, and the Mulsanne is a car that achieves exactly that.
It’s the pinnacle of luxury, with exquisite handcrafted materials and a magnificent design that offers unrivaled levels of refinement.
Chevrolet Colorado
This next midsize vehicle is named after a Western state famous for its mile-high stadium and rugged, outdoor-oriented personality. As the entryway to the Rocky Mountains, this location epitomizes adventure, independence, and a sense of discovery, all of which are qualities that a truck name would want to elicit.
The Chevrolet Colorado midsize vehicle, now in its second generation, is available in 2- and 4-door Regular Cab and Crew Cab configurations. Body options include Extended Cab and Crew Cab. The Colorado is available in 2WD or 4WD, and there is a new ZR2 Bison model with complete off-road capability and tough design.
Cadillac Calais
This French port city overlooks the Strait of Dover, with the White Cliffs of Dover (in England) visible in the distance on a clear day. After being bombed to the rubble during WWII, the name of this French city was borrowed by General Motors’ luxury division to name a new entry-level model in the mid-1960s.
The Cadillac Calais was offered as a 2-door hardtop, 2-door coupe, and 4-door hardtop from 1965 to 1976. The Calais was only redesigned once during its reign (for the 1971 model year), but it was always the less expensive alternative to the more expensive DeVille model line.
