SUV....... where did it come from?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Brandon, MS
Probably some janitor sitting in his broom closet, eating lunch, mumbling to himself, coining a new phrase, at an advertising agency. Then, a "jingle" guy overheard him through the A/C vents while taking a whiz.
Takes the jingle to an account (a Japanese account maybe?) he was been trying to get for ages. They love it, next thing you know it is a common everyday term like Band-Aide and Crescent Wrench and now the guy is a millionaire living on some beach in Tahiti.
Meanwhile, our lowly janitor is still scrubbing Admin note: see our guidelines about language of toilets!
I blame the American Marketing firms.
Takes the jingle to an account (a Japanese account maybe?) he was been trying to get for ages. They love it, next thing you know it is a common everyday term like Band-Aide and Crescent Wrench and now the guy is a millionaire living on some beach in Tahiti.
Meanwhile, our lowly janitor is still scrubbing Admin note: see our guidelines about language of toilets!
I blame the American Marketing firms.
Last edited by IB Tim; Jan 22, 2007 at 06:15 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
From: Mustang, Oklahoma
Not sure of the whole story, but I do know that SUV's have a lot to do with EPA regulations for trucks. The standard is lower for trucks, the companies figured out that by putting a modified body on a truck chassis they could get classified with the same emmisions/mpg standard.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I think the name originally was attached to the International Travelall or Scout. I seem to recall something in their brochures saying a combination of sport and utility, or for sport and utility. Basically, take it to the lumber store on Saturday, load a deer in the back on Sunday.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
I've had several friends brag to me about their new SUV. When I ask them about it I always ask them if it is a four wheel drive. Many times it is a two wheel drive (frequently front wheel drive). The get the oddest expression their face when I tell them they don't have SUV but they simply have a station wagon.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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I think jeep started it with the ****** 4x4 ssstation wagon in the late 40's, but it wasn't called an suv. The term seemed to start around the time of the little jeep cherokee and explorer. The cherokee came out in the early 80's and the exploder in the early 90's, it was some where around there the term started showing up.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Cornelius, Oregon
The closest thing I've ever come to seeing an origin of the SUV term is the early bronco's ('66 -'77) used to have a factory option package called "Utility Sport". I can't remember off the top of my head what the extra options were though.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
Because "station wagon with big tires" doesn't sound manly....
Back in 1933, a company offered the first off road tire/wheel combo. There were called Jumbos, and were installed on 1933/34 Ford cars and trucks.
Posting Guru
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Originally Posted by wendell borror
I think jeep started it with the ****** 4x4 ssstation wagon in the late 40's, but it wasn't called an suv.
When I showed pic of my F-150 they also called it Jeep. I said "Its not a Jeep, its Ford" and they said "I know that, but its a Jeep ... type of vehicle".
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
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From: Lafayette, IN
The first I ever saw the actual "SUV" term was in early '94 when I was working at the Subaru-Isuzu plant near Lafayette, IN. They were calling the Rodeo that was being built like gangbusters an SUV (mostly on posters around the plant).
Jason
Jason