As a Chevy dealer for many years, I can tell you that this sort of mentality is STANDARD STUFF at GM!
I never heard of a ‘57 Chevy being referred to as a ‘57 Chevrotet and hope I never will.
I think it is standard stuff with most auto companies. I co-owned a BMW dealership in the 80’s. Funny, they never forget to put the “squeeze” on the dealers ;-)