TWO AUTO MAKERS PICK SAME NAMES
The Ford Motor Company won a close race with coincidence.
Both Ford and the Chrysler Corporation, unknown to each other, chose the name Falcon for their new small cars. But because Ford reserved the name with an industry registry only twenty minutes ahead of Chrysler, it won the right to the name.
Ford and Chrysler independently settled on Falcon, but Ford won by notifying the Automobile Manufactures Association of its choice twenty minutes ahead of Chrysler. The association is the official industry arbiter and its Proprietary name File is the trade-name bible for the car makers.
Actually Chrysler was said to have been the first to indicate its interest in the name Falcon, when it asked that a search be made on the availability of the name.
The report was made, but while the Company was making its final decision, Ford called and registered the name, unaware, association officials said, that Chrysler was considering it too.
Falcon is not new to the automobile industry. The roster of 2600 names that have graced the automotive scene in the last sixty years shows that Falcon was used by two other manufacturers. A Falcon passenger car was made in 1922 and a Falcon-Knight was marketed in 1926.
Industry sources noted that it was possible although not likely, for Chrysler and General Motors to shift to other names for their new cars. Ford however appears firmly decided on Falcon.