Lifestyle

What’s in a Name? Find Out Texans’ Favorite Names for Their Pickups

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Tony Maples Photography

 

National Name Your Car Day is happening on October 2, and we want to hear if you’ve ever had the opportunity to give your mode of transportation a moniker of its very own. Many relate to their rides with a sense of pride, giving them almost human characteristics along the way. Some folks call their pickups, cars, or vans a “he” or a “she,” and refer to them as being “reliable,” “faithful,” and “trusty.” Well, a recent Harris Poll found out just how much Americans love their trucks in particular, and the names they attribute to them.

Texans have long displayed an affinity for pickup trucks, both as workhorse rides and family grocery-getters. To witness the extent of this, one simply needs to ride down any Texas highway or rural road. The number of pickups in comparison to cars and vans could almost be captured in a sort of game – counting as you ride from town to town or city to city. Chevrolet wanted to go a step further and quantify those figures. As such, they partnered with Harris Poll to ask over 1K pickup truck drivers throughout America how they felt about their trucks. They also asked them in what ways they make use of them to assist their fellow community members, and if they had given their trucks a name.

What’s in a Name? Find Out Texans' Favorite Names for Their Pickups

Photo: Chevrolet

Some key highlights they gleaned were that 27 percent of American pickup truck drivers loved their trucks so much that they did, in fact, name them. Of those, the most popular name in the U.S. was “Betsy.” Following that, the most popular truck moniker was “Big Red” (which actually encompassed variations of “Big/Little/Old Red”) 57 percent of study participants also identified that they consider their pickup truck a part of their family.

Of those who participated in the survey, 89 percent identified having used trucks to help others. 33 percent previously helped to tow a friend or family member’s vehicle, and the same percentage indicated they’ve used their truck to support a school, community, or charitable cause. With respect to pride in ownership and care for their pickup trucks, 45 percent said they plan to pass their pickup down to a child or loved one, with 38 percent acknowledging they love their pickup truck more than any other object in their possession, and 60 percent saying they “can’t live without” it!

What’s in a Name? Find Out Texans' Favorite Names for Their Pickups

Photo: Chevrolet

Pickup truck love didn’t stop there. 26 percent said they learned how to drive in a pickup, 10 percent brought a baby home from the hospital in one, and 9 percent said they had their first kiss in a pickup – although we thought that last figure may have been a little higher! Just sayin’! Among the study statistics were also figures on those who felt their pickup made them appear more attractive as well as popular, and we all know how great it is to be feeling both of those at the same time!

What’s in a Name? Find Out Texans' Favorite Names for Their Pickups

Photo: Chevrolet

The study didn’t debate the make and model of pickup truck owners prefer, but you won’t find any dust settling on Chevrolet in that respect. In 2018, Chevy introduced the all-new Silverado 1500, the Silverado 4500-6500 HD (their first-ever Class 4,5, and 6 chassis cab trucks), and the Colorado ZR2 Bison (a new midsize and the first collaboration between Chevy and American Expedition Vehicles – a premium off-road aftermarket manufacturer.) If you’re in the market, or simply would like to learn more about these Chevrolet models, you can visit the link provided here for more details. The options for the next “Betsy” or “Big Red” of your dreams appear endless when it comes to styling, payload, and capabilities, and the market for pickup trucks in Texas in the near future isn’t showing any signs of a slow-down.