New data from Honda UK shows that nearly half of Generation Z drivers in the UK have a pet name for their car, with Baby being the most popular
A recent study in the United Kingdom looked at drivers’ attachment to their vehicles and the memories that bring back the strongest feelings of nostalgia while driving.
Most drivers in the UK still refer to their vehicle as a “car,” according to the poll of 1,500 drivers. However, the younger generation is significantly more inclined to call it by a different name. Popular choices include loving titles such as “Baby,” “Babe,” and “Betty.” Influential names such as “Beast” and “Rocket” were well-liked. “Herbie,” “Churchill,” and “Elvis” were also included as nostalgic choices.
“My partner always wanted to name the car, and my daughter just enjoys naming things,” Troy, 31, of London, explained, explaining how the family came up with the name “Blanco” for their little white pick-up. Having a nickname for your car makes you feel good; it’s like having a second family, strangely.
People who drive a Honda say that nicknaming their vehicles makes them more personal. These names become a part of the driver’s biography, whether it’s about devotion, personality, or nostalgia.
“I refer to mine Penny as the Polo,” Jennika, a 31-year-old Leeds resident, said. The name just stayed after my mum came up with it out of the blue! I was once teased at school for some reason, and the name Penny fits well with Jenny. The alliteration of Penny Polo is perfect. I always refer to her as a human, which always draws a few laughs, and it’s a wonderful conversation starter.
Beyond mere monikers, the poll probes the sentimental connection that motorists feel for their vehicles—a quarter of the sample stated that listening to certain musical styles or songs reminds them of previous travels.
With 46% thinking back on songs that influenced their early driving years, millennials are the most nostalgic generation for music. In contrast, witnessing vintage cars on the road evokes the strongest sense of nostalgia among baby boomers (29%), followed by the days of paper maps (24%).
As part of their celebration of 25 years of hybrids, Honda presented a milestone that reflects the age of Gen Z. The simple pleasures of life, like the wind in an open window, might evoke sentiments of nostalgia among drivers in this age bracket (29%).
Honda’s survey also highlights regional differences in nostalgic patterns. Listening to certain music in London brings back fond memories for 48% of drivers while stopping at familiar places like wayside cafés or beautiful lookouts brings joy for 42%.
Nearly 40% of East Midlands residents say that returning to old driving routes brings back pleasant memories, while 33% of South East residents say the same about the company they keep behind the wheel.
To find out more about the Honda Generational Drives, visit Honda’s website.
Listen to Honda’s ultimate driving playlist celebrating 50 years of the most iconic hybrid vehicle – the Honda Civic on Spotify.
Top 10 positive driving triggers across the UK
1 Listening to specific songs or genres of music (42%)
2 Revisiting routes you’ve driven in the past (35%)
3 Stopping at familiar spots (e.g., roadside diners, scenic lookouts) (32%)
4 The company you share (friends, family, loved ones) (28%)
5 Seeing your first car / an old model you owned on the road (25%)
5 Wind blowing through an open window (25%)
5 Seeing classic/vintage cars on the road (25%)
8 Using a physical map (19%)
9 The unique smell of different cars/smell of air fresheners / leather seats (17%)
10 The sound of the engine/exhaust (17%)
Above: a table containing survey data gathered by Honda UK.
The Featured image was created with the assistance of DALL·E