More than three million car owners in Britain have chosen a name for their cars, according to new research.
More than three million car owners in Britain have chosen a name for their cars, according to new research.
The study by the UK's largest insurer, Norwich Union, shows that almost one in five owners name a car, with drivers between 25 to 44 most inclined to christen their wheels. The over 65s were least keen to consider personalising their vehicle.
The research was carried out to discover how car owners feel about their cars and if those who choose to name their vehicles develop a personal attachment to them.
The new study also shows:
- Almost a quarter of women questioned admitted to giving their car a name
- One in five car owners in the Midlands has given a name to their vehicle, yet only one in ten Scots confessed to doing so
- Over half of names chosen were female, with both men and women preferring to give their cars a female identity.
Richard Alger, market development manager for Norwich Union, said: “Two thirds of car owners felt more attached to their vehicle as a result of giving it a name. The most popular factors contributing to the choice of name are the colour and registration plate of the vehicle.
“It is interesting to see that most owners regard their vehicle as female, with over fifty percent of owners giving female names – even Alex from ‘Big Brother’ reportedly called his first car ‘Ethel’ and went on to name his latest car, a VW Beetle, ‘Bettie’!
“However naming a car is not a new thing – just think of famous loveable cars such as ‘Herbie’, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and ‘KITT’ from the 80s Knight Rider series, suggesting a car with a name is certainly more than just your average car!”
Media contact:
David Ross at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 65 (mobile 07786 526350)
Notes to editors
- This research was conducted by ICM Research Limited for Norwich Union in August 2002 among 1000 car owners nation- wide.
- Norwich Union is the UK’s largest insurer. In general insurance it is more than 1.5 times the size of its nearest competitor, and has a 19 per cent share of the market.
- It has a focus on insurance for individuals and small businesses. It insures:
- one in five households
- one in five motor vehicles
- more than 700,000 businesses
- Norwich Union products are available through a variety of distribution channels including brokers, corporate partners such as banks and building societies, and Norwich Union Direct.
- Norwich Union’s news releases are available on the internet at www.aviva-group.co.uk
- A selection of images is available from the Aviva Newscast site at www.Newscast.co.uk
- An ISDN line is available. Call the press office 08703 66 68 68
- Norwich Union Insurance Limited Registered in England Number 99122 Registered Office 8 Surrey Street Norwich NR1 3NG
- Member of the Aviva Group of companies and of the General Insurance Standards Council
For all life & pensions media enquiries 08703 66 68 73
For all other media enquiries 08703 66 68 68