Escort still wheels of choice

14 March 2005

Wayne, Darren, Tracey and Tanya

Your name reveals more about you than you might think. According to research released today from Churchill Car Insurance, it can even influence your choice of car.

Analysis of 500,000 names from Churchill’s motor insurance database shows some strong associations between Britons’ names and the types of car they drive. Indeed, it seems ‘Chav’ culture has infiltrated not only our choice of fashion but also cars – with Wayne, Darren and Tracey all driving today’s motor of choice, a Ford Escort.

And there are other interesting findings to emerge from the research:

Second choice car Vauxhall Astra (accessorised by ‘go faster’ stripes and bass speakers in the boot) is driven by Gary, ....cont/

Carl and Lee.

The Nissan Micra is still Granny’s choice – it is driven by Joyce, Doreen, Beryl and Audrey.

Today’s Mondeo man, complete with driving gloves and classic rock on the stereo (a la Alan Partridge) is called Adrian, Howard or Julian. Rodney is no longer found in Peckham in his three wheeled Robin Reliant, he too has upgraded to a Ford Mondeo.

It is unlikely today’s Renault Clios are driven by Nicole from the ads, they’re driven by Sarah, Gemma or Amy.

And for men, it seems Matthew, Adam and Alexander live in hope that by choosing a Clio, some of Thierry Henry’s ‘va va voom’ will rub off on them.

Darren McCauley Head of Churchill Car Insurance said: “It seems that there is a link between the names that ....cont/

Cartoon Motorists
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parents give their children and the type of car they go on to choose as an adult. Whether we get our first car at 17 or 77 years, it does seem that it’s name that drives our choice of car. However, Churchill does not underwrite its policies on a name basis!”

Top male/car name associations

Renault Clio – Matthew, Adam, Alexander

VW Golf – Jonathon, Daniel, Nicholas

Renault Megane – Gavin, Nigel, Douglas

Vauxhall Corsa – Scott, Craig, Jason

Ford Focus – Duncan, Sean, Patrick

Vauxhall Vectra – Karl, Vincent, Bernard

Ford Fiesta – Anthony, Gareth, Dennis

Vauxhall Astra – Carl, Lee, Gary

Ford Mondeo – Rodney, Julian, Laurence

...cont/

One In Seven Cars Vandalised
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Ford Escort – Justin, Wayne, Darren

Top female/car name associations

Fiat Punto – Joanna, Kelly, Beverley

Renault Megane – Mandy, Fiona, Kathryn

VW Polo – Katherine, Emma, Hayley

Peugeot 206 – Rebecca, Samantha, Kerry

Ford Escort – Tanya, Tracey, Mandy

Nissan Micra – Dorothy, Joyce, Doreen, Beryl

Vauxhall Astra – Jackie, Janine, Maxine

Vauxhall Corsa – Leanne, Rachel, Sheila

Ford Fiesta – Audrey, Kate, Laura

Renault Clio – Amy, Gemma, Sarah
Churchill Car Insurance