Aren’t you all lucky?! Two blogs in one week!
I had a spark of curiosity while driving into work this morning when I saw an older model of Hyundai Elantra driving in front of me. How and why do car models go through so many redesigns yet keep the same name? Why not release the updated versions with new monikers?
Here’s some helpful lingo that may help us find the answer:
| All-New | First year of a brand new model |
| Carryover | No changes from the previous year |
| Discontinued | No longer available |
| New Style | New trim level offered (ex. new option package or engine such as diesel or hybrid powertrain) |
| New Styles | More than one new trim level offered |
| Skipped MY | Vehicle not being produced for the model year, usually due to an upcoming redesign or low sales |
| Redesign | Existing model receives a brand new design |
| Refresh | Minor cosmetic (exterior/interior) changes |
| Update | More changes than a refresh, usually a new engine and interior changes |
| Source |
With the above information and some examples below (from the three makes we carry) I think we can draw an informed conclusion.
Example 1: Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra was an All New model for 1990 and is still going strong today with its fifth generation design as the best-selling Hyundai in America.
Example 2: Mazda MX-5 ( Miata)
With something as sleek and sporty as the Mazda Miata it can be long-lasting with minimal redesigns. It was All New in 1989 and is currently in its third generation and continues to be the best-selling two seat sports car in history.
Example 3: Ford Mustang
The original muscle car made its debut in 1964 and is still selling today with its fifth generation. Lets face it the Ford Mustang is an awesome vehicle. [ Also seen in previous blogs such as “For The Love of Mustangs” and “How do car models get those fancy names?” ]
This is just a small sampling of all of the different Mustangs since 1964 as there have been bunches ( Yes, bunches is a mathematical quantifier in my book) and we could do tons of blogs just about them.
Models that survive long time spans like the examples above have to adapt to the times. They start as new model years and go through carry-overs, refreshes, updates, several generations of redesigns and more to stay top sellers. Their names stick because as they say “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. If people know these names as great cars why not keep them and redesign them? Although, I have to disagree in some cases of drastic redesign as seen in the Ford Escape Below. If you are going to change it to the point it doesn’t even resemble the same vehicle I think it requires a new nameplate.
