6 Cars Named After U.S. States That Aren’t the Chevy Colorado
Automakers take their inspiration for vehicle names from all sorts of things – animals, food, famous figures, and more. Some vehicles are named after U.S. States. The Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck readily comes to mind. However, beyond that well-known example, quite a few other cars are named for U.S. states. If you’re wondering whether you can buy a car named for your state, here are six vehicles that might be named for yours.
Chevrolet Montana
Originally sold as a Pontiac model, the Chevrolet Montana was a minivan sold by General Motors from 1997 to 2009. It’s now being resurrected as a truck to compete in the compact truck segment. This overhaul means the Montana will go head to head against the Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and other similar vehicles in development.
As for what the new Montana will have in store? GM Authority reports the new pickup will be a crew cab FWD vehicle with a 133-hp 1.2-liter turbocharged engine. It will come with the buyer’s choice of a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. Additionally, it will include a 30.87 cubic foot bed with a waterproof seal that allows it to serve as a trunk.
GM Authority also reports the new Chevy Montana will offer four trims, each with a distinctive finish. While this unibody vehicle is certainly attractive, it may not take off in Montana. Ironically, while it’s on Jalopnik‘s list of cars named after U.S. states, this truck is primarily designed for the South American market.
Chrysler New Yorker
While New Yorkers might love to drive a vehicle named after the Big Apple, it’s unlikely to be a GM vehicle. That’s because from 1940 to 1996, General Motors sold the Chrysler New Yorker, an upscale car that helped the brand cement its early reputation for luxury. In its earliest incarnation, the New Yorker came in the form of a station wagon.
However, drivers began to prefer smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles over time. When the New Yorker was retired in 1996, it was offered as a four-door sedan with bench seats, as per Cars.com. The final model year came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.
The New Yorker was made on the LH platform and phased out in favor of the almost identical Chrysler LHS. This model made many of the New Yorker’s upscale optional amenities, like leather seats, standard. The LHS lasted from 1996 until 2002 when it became the Concorde Limited for two years, then the Chrysler 300. Now, the 300 is being phased out, with its last new model debuting in 2022, in favor of a to-be-launched EV.
Dodge Dakota
A midsize pickup truck initially produced by Dodge Truck, the Dakota was known as a Ram brand for the last two years it was produced. It was first launched for the 1987 model year and competed until 2011. According to Car and Driver, there were rumors that it would relaunch in 2021. However, that didn’t happen, leaving Dodge without a solid offering to compete with the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, and others in the segment.
The rumors held that a new Dakota might be a smaller version of the Ram 1500 or a newly styled Jeep Gladiator with a V6 engine. If it had been based on the latter, it might have been able to tow somewhere in the neighborhood of four tons.
A 2021 Dakota relaunch likely would have shared some basic features with other Dodge models, such as its Uconnect infotainment system, crew cab or extended cab options, and a bevy of advanced safety systems. However, the company now plans to relaunch the Dakota as a Ram brand in 2023, possibly as a midsize truck.
Fisker Alaska
Likely, you’ve never heard of the Fisker Alaska. Or even Fisker, Inc., the car company. That’s because the car company launched in 2016 as the successor to Fisker Automotive. The first company was established in 2007 but folded after several unsuccessful attempts to bring hybrids to market.
Much of Fisker Automotive’s assets were sold to the Wanxiang Group, after which its founder, Henrik Fisker, founded Fisker Inc., with plans to launch the Fisker Ocean, an electric SUV, as its flagship vehicle. The company has also been working on an urban electric car known as the Fisker PEAR and a full-size electric pickup truck known as the Fisker Alaska.
Not much is known about the Fisker Alaska. Henrik Fisker has Tweeted and then deleted images of its initial design. As per Top Electric SUV, the Alaska likely uses the same chassis as the Ocean, has AWD, and a range of around 300 miles. However, given the founder’s history and the fact that models are not yet on the market, only time will tell how much will change from early estimates and if you’ll ever be able to buy a Fisker Alaska.
Ferrari California
If you can afford a Ferrari, you can own a car named after the Golden State. The Ferrari California was once the name of Ferrari models from the 1950s and 60s. However, the moniker was most recently used for a high-performance sports car launched in 2008 and last produced for the 2018 model year.
Dubizzle notes that the California is one of the most popular cars in the United Arab Emirates. It’s well-known among car enthusiasts for its sleek lines and top-of-the-line tech. At first launch, the California sported a front-mounted V8 engine, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a folding metal roof. It was also the first Ferrari with a direct fuel injection engine and multi-link rear suspension.
Its second-generation model, launched in 2014, featured a 553-hp 3.9-liter V8 twin-turbo engine and could hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Ferrari eventually replaced it in favor of its Portofino model. However, it certainly is a vehicle that does both Ferrari and its namesake state proud.
Renault Floride
On the Haynes Motor Museum‘s website, you’ll find a bit about the exciting history of the Renault Floride. Named for the Sunshine State, French automaker Renault designed the car in the late 1950s to allow them to compete in the U.S. market.
Naming a car after a state is a bit of a risky proposition. You could attract car owners who don’t care about the name and are more interested in the vehicle’s quality. You could attract those who live in or have some affinity with the state the car is named for. Alternatively, you could alienate prospective buyers who don’t want to drive a car named for a state for which they have no affinity or affiliation.
This risk is magnified when you don’t have a lot of other vehicles in the market. Renault tried to mitigate this risk by naming its car both the Floride and the Caravelle. It did sell well for a time, partly because of some great advertising. However, by 1968, Renault ceased production as the Floride/Caravelle could no longer compete.
