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Expert Advise on Choosing a Name for your Dealership

FREE Dealership Naming Tool

For 15+ years we have built over 500 used car dealership websites across the Carolinas. Through this vast experience we have some valuable DOs and DONTs for naming your dealership.

6 Tips When Choosing a Name

Google it!

Is it easy to spell?

Consider relevance and longevity.

Does the name make sense?

Test it out!

const adjectives = [ 'Friendly', 'Reliable', 'Professional', 'Quality', 'Luxury', 'Premium', 'Elite', 'Select', 'Victory', 'Choice', 'Exclusive', 'Signature', 'Platinum', 'Prestige', 'Affordable', 'Family', 'Easy', 'Prime', 'Iconic', 'Legacy', 'Supreme', 'Classic' ]; const nouns = [ 'Motors', 'Auto Sales', 'Motorcars', 'Automotive', 'Garage', 'Truck Center', 'Auto Mart', 'Auto Gallery', 'Car Depot', 'Autos', 'Speedway', 'Autoplex', 'Auto World', 'Auto Gallery', 'Luxury Motors', 'Auto Mall', 'Drive', 'Ride', 'Hub', 'Velocity', 'Driveway', 'Venture', 'AutoHaus', 'Peak', 'Overdrive', 'Crestline', 'Haven', 'Liberty', 'American', 'Freedom' ]; const prefixes = ['Auto', 'Pro', 'Car', 'Drive', 'Eco', 'Next', 'Elite', 'Prime']; const suffixes = ['HQ', 'Point', 'Center', 'World', 'Works', 'Plaza', 'Zone', 'Exchange', 'Garage']; function generateDealershipName(baseWord, type) { let adjective = selectRandom(adjectives); let noun = selectRandom(nouns); let prefix = selectRandom(prefixes); let suffix = selectRandom(suffixes); // Proper possessive formatting for lastName if (type === 'lastName') { const formattedLastName = baseWord.endsWith('s') ? `${baseWord}'` : `${baseWord}'s`; return `${formattedLastName} ${noun}`; } else if (type === 'city') { return `${adjective} ${noun} of ${baseWord}`; } else { // Use smarter combinations let structures = [ `${adjective} ${noun}`, `${prefix} ${noun}`, `${adjective} ${baseWord} ${noun}`, // Incorporate user input `${prefix} ${adjective} ${noun}`, `${noun} ${suffix}`, `${prefix}${noun}` // Mashup ]; return selectRandom(structures); } } function generateNames() { let city = document.getElementById('cityInput').value; let lastName = document.getElementById('lastNameInput').value; let namesList = document.getElementById('namesList'); namesList.innerHTML = '

Hard at work finding you the best name...

'; animateEllipsis(namesList.querySelector('p')); setTimeout(() => { let generatedNames = new Set(); if (lastName && city) { generatedNames.add(`${lastName}'s ${selectRandom(nouns)} of ${city}`); } if (lastName) { for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) { generatedNames.add(generateDealershipName(lastName, 'lastName')); } } if (city) { for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) { generatedNames.add(generateDealershipName(city, 'city')); } } while (generatedNames.size { element.innerHTML = `Hard at work finding you the best name${'.'.repeat(counter % (maxDots + 1))}`; counter++; }, 500); setTimeout(() => clearInterval(interval), 3000); } function displayNames(names) { let namesList = document.getElementById('namesList'); namesList.innerHTML = ''; names.forEach(name => { let listItem = document.createElement('li'); listItem.textContent = name; listItem.style.cursor = 'pointer'; listItem.onclick = function() { selectName(name); }; namesList.appendChild(listItem); }); document.querySelector('.checkDomain').style.display = 'block'; } function selectName(name) { // Format the name by removing spaces, apostrophes, hyphens, and converting to lowercase let domainName = name.trim().replace(/[\s'-]/g, '').toLowerCase() + '.com'; // Set the formatted domain name in the input and display boxes document.getElementById('domainInput').value = domainName; document.getElementById('domainDisplay').value = domainName; } div.nameForm {display:flex; flex-direction: column} div.nameField {display: flex; margin-bottom: 20px;width: 100%;} div.nameField label {flex:1; font-size: 20px; margin: auto; padding-right: 15px; justify-content: flex-end; line-height: 110%;} span.nameFootnote {font-size:14px; font-style: italic; color:#a0a0a0} div.nameField input {flex:1; font-size: 20px; color: #555; padding: 12px 10px; border: 1px solid #999; border-radius: 8px;} div.nameButton button {font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Roboto'; background-color: #20ea4b; border:1px solid ##555555; border-radius: 8px; font-weight: 700; padding: 12px 20px;} div.nameList {display: flex; flex-direction: column;} div#namesList {display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap;} div#namesList li {margin: 10px; padding: 5px 10px; outline: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 8px; font-size: 18px;list-style: none}div#namesList li:hover {background-color: #96f5aa} div.checkDomain {width: 100%;margin-top: 25px;} input#domainDisplay {flex:1; font-size: 18px; color: #555; padding: 12px 10px; border: 1px solid #999; border-radius: 8px;} form#domainForm button {font-size: 16px; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Roboto'; background-color: #20ea4b; border:1px solid ##555555; border-radius: 8px; font-weight: 700; padding: 12px 20px;}

Free Name Generator

Need help getting the creative juices flowing? Here are some ideas, and who knows, maybe our NameBot will deliver the PERFECT name!

See if the Dot Com is available!

Choose your favorite name then check GoDaddy to see if you can own it TODAY!

document.getElementById('domainForm').addEventListener('submit', function() { // Clean the domainInput value before submission let domainInput = document.getElementById('domainInput'); domainInput.value = domainInput.value.replace(/\s+/g, ''); // Remove all spaces });

CAN YOU GET THE .COM?

Why .COM is Important

The .COM domain is the most trusted and widely used domain extension. If your ideal name isn’t available as a .COM, visit the site to see what’s there. If it belongs to another dealership in your state, steer clear. However, if it’s a dormant site, for sale, or unrelated and far away, you might consider alternatives like .NET.

What to Do if the .COM Is Taken

Don’t worry! You can tweak your name by adding geographic terms, such as a state abbreviation or a city name. Removing less critical words like “car” or “sales” is another option.

Sample Case: Prime Auto Sales

If primeautosales.com is unavailable, consider these alternatives:

primeautos.com

primeautonc.com

primeautosalesnc.com

primecars.com

Need a Domain? GoDaddy Makes it Easy

We recommend GoDaddy for buying your domain. They’re reliable, user-friendly, and offer great support.

Google it!

Why Google Search Matters

A thorough Google search is crucial before finalizing your dealership name. It helps identify potential conflicts and competition in your market. Most customers will search for your business online, so understanding what they'll find is essential.

What to Look For

  • Existing dealerships with similar names (especially in your state)
  • Social media accounts and business listings - Check Social also!!
  • News articles or negative press about similarly named businesses
  • Trademark registrations that could cause legal issues

Sample Search Strategy: Carolina Motors

If considering "Carolina Motors," search for:

  • "Carolina Motors dealership"
  • "Carolina Motors + [your city]"
  • "Carolina Motors reviews"
  • "Carolina Motors near me"

Is it easy to spell?

Why Spelling Matters

Misspellings can cost you valuable website traffic and make word-of-mouth marketing less effective. Up to 20% of Google searches contain spelling errors - don't let these missed opportunities hurt your business.

Common Spelling Pitfalls

  • Creative spellings (Karz instead of Cars)
  • Commonly mispelled names (Geoff's Autos or Gallagher Motors)
  • Sound-alike words (Express vs. Xpress)
  • Hyphens and special characters

Consider relevance and longevity

Why Future-Proofing Matters

Your dealership name should grow with your business and remain relevant as the market evolves. Avoiding restrictive terms keeps your options open for future expansion.

Terms to Avoid

  • Vehicle types (SUV, Truck, Electric)
  • Price points (Budget, Luxury, Discount)
  • Specific brands (unless you're a licensed dealer)
  • Trendy terms that may date quickly

Sample Evolution Case

"Budget EVs of Charlotte" limits you to:

  • Only electric vehicles
  • Only lower-priced inventory
  • Only serving Charlotte (not a negative but just something to keep in mind)
  • Better alternative: "Charlotte Auto Exchange"

Does the name make sense?

Why Clarity Matters

Your dealership name should instantly communicate your business type. While creative names can work, they require more marketing effort to establish brand recognition.

Elements of a Strong Name

  • Automotive terms (Auto, Motors, Cars)
  • Geographic identifiers when helpful
  • Professional and trustworthy words
  • Easy to remember and share

Test it out!

Why Testing Matters

Getting feedback before launching helps identify potential issues and confirms your name resonates with your target market.

Testing Checklist

  • Say it out loud 10 times
  • Write it down without looking
  • Use it in a sentence
  • Create a simple logo mock-up

Sample Testing Scenarios

Phone Test: "Hi, I'm calling Capital City Motors about the Honda Civic."

Referral Test: "I got my truck from Capital City Motors on Main Street."

Social Media Test: "Just picked up my new ride from @CapitalCityMotors! #NewCar"