HQ buildings (Conference Centres, Government Houses, Command Centres if I remember right) and Civil Centres have starting rooms, because this is where people can spawn.
The Commander of a ship can rename it and assign a pilot. It's probably not a good idea to go around renaming faction ships, though, unless you have permission.
Vehicles are a cheap way of moving around on the surface, and don't tie up a ship that could be used for something else. They have few real advantages, unless they have a specific function like prospecting.
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"May the Grace of Ara go with you, and His Vengeance be wrought upon your enemies."