I understand that Indian car manufacturer Tata is having to rebrand its newest model, which was to be called the Zica (for 'zippy car"), in the face of the developing Zika virus crisis (the mother of all lousy timings).
So how 'bout some disease-ridden or otherwise unappetizing names for other makes?
No actually, that’s to attract the macho guys who want to use it to ram their way through traffic. And who think proper relations with the ladies is predicated mostly on their ramming.
“Prius” has always rubbed my fur the wrong way . . . it sounds kind of pubical.
I also offer up my “Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Special Trail Edition.” Yup, that’s really her full name (BTW, I’m selling her – anyone in need of an 8-cylinder towing beast?)
Cars with equine-y names: Pinto, Mustang, et al rub my mane against the grain
Cars with stupid names: there are SUVs named Sequoia (huge and immobile), Armada (Spanish is the only Armada anyone remembers, and we know how it fared), and Terrain (kinda like with Roadway trucks, I always want to paint an arrow pointing downward next to the name).
Best of all, Mitsubishi still sells the Pajero in many parts of the world. Even though pajero is the Spanish equivalent of wanker.
Along those lines, it was funny when Mazda used to make such a big deal about their “wankel rotary engines.” Sounds like a car for losers who can’t get a date.
Kia had a concept car called the Provo, which was also the term for an IRA member, and this defused (hah) their plans to market the car in the UK/Ireland. Link