By Marco Christiansen | Jun 21, 2021
Audi
Audi’s name has a linguistic twist. It is a Latin translation of the founder’s last name, August Horch, meaning “listen.”
Chevrolet
The combination of a French first name and a Swiss last name adds a cosmopolitan flair to this American brand, reflecting the diverse influences that shaped its identity.
Toyota
Kiichiro Toyoda, the founder, decided to change the family name from Toyoda to Toyota for phonetic reasons.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz was named after Mercédès Jellinek, the daughter of Emil Jellinek, a successful Austrian businessman and racing enthusiast.
Subaru
The name “Subaru” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. It is the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster, depicted in the brand’s logo.
Ford
The term “ford” signifies a passage, capturing Ford’s vision of making automobiles accessible to all, bridging the gap between the elite and the common man.
Volkswagen
The name “Volkswagen” translates to “People’s Car” in German. The Volkswagen brand was established in the 1930s in Germany under the direction of Adolf Hitler.
Cadillac
Cadillac was named after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of Detroit.
Honda
Soichiro Honda’s decision to name the company after himself was not merely egotistical. In Japanese, “Honda” can also mean “main rice field.”