Boy, for companies that sell something that’s both expensive and relatively common, and presumably research the marketing their product to the nth degree, the motor vehicle manufacturers sure pick some bloody stupid, nonsensical, and funny names for their vehicles:
*Probe (long-time subject of gynecological and proctological jokes)
*Prizm (fix yur spel chekr)
*Altima, Celica, Camry, Sentra, etc. (Jane, bring in my dictionary, please!)
*Astro (and its companion from 60s TV pets, the “Dino”)
*Sienna (burnt, of course)
*Cirrus (with a price up in the clouds, no doubt)
*Cavalier (don’t worry about it!)
*Wrangler (sounds like it’s hard to control)
*Bravada (I guess if some men are full of empty bravado, some women…)
*RAV-4 (but what happened to RAVs 1 through 3?)
*Esteem (an SUV, so of course you don’t have any self-esteem if you choose a wimpy car or minivan instead)
*Grand Vitara (or, as I’ve heard it called, “Grand Viagra”)
My nomination: The Diahatsu Charade. Who would givea car a name that has symonyms of “farce”, “sham”, “fake”, and “travesty”. On the other hand, I guess it was the ultimate (unintended) truth-in-advertising.
Okay, this is kind of self-referential, but here ya go.
The Volkswagen Corrado.
Now look, I obivously have nothing against the name Corrado. In fact, I’m kind of honored by Volkswagen deciding it was a good name for a car; certainly, it’s let my family pick up all sorts of merchandise with our names in prominent positions on them.
But “Corrado” tends to be a first name in Italy, equivalent to “Conrad” in English or “Konrad” in German.
Which means that the “Volkswagen Corrado” to Italians was kind of like marketing “The Ford George.” Just kind of stupid when you think about it.
Ford had an electric concept car a few years ago with a name that indicated the effect it would have on the environment. Unfortunately, all I could think of was the effect the drivers could have on their environment: the Ford Impact!
Of course we always bastarized car names anyway:
Shovey , Oldsmo-pile Gutless, Perspire, Anal Probe (as above), Monte Bondo, etc…
They give cars differant names according to local culture, can’t imagine what posessed Nissan to call their saloon the Cedric.
One popular little car in the UK was the Vauxhall Nova but they didn’t sell well in Latin countries - apparently No va means ‘no go’
Datsun named one car the ‘Cherry’ which is supposed to be a status name in Japan. Not quite the same over in the UK though. I’m glad I never forgot where I parked mine in the multi-storey parks, how on earth could you keep a straight face when telling the attendant what you had lost?
Chevy Nova–and * not * because of the old UL that they tried to sell it in Spanish-speaking countries and failed…but because they named the car after a very large explosion. Jeez, even the Pintos just give you gaseous explosions. :rolleyes:
On the issue of the various “Novas”, I refer y’all to Snopes
There’s plenty in there debunking this one. Still a stupid name though, for aforementioned reason.
The Millenia. I don’t remember who makes it. Mazda?
A couple things:
Are you trying to spell “Millennia”?
Why name the car after the plural form?
Didn’t you realize the name already seems outdated, because most people think the new millennium has already started?
Or are you just making up a “new” word that sounds just like one that already exists?
I too thought of the Canyonero when I read the thread title
Seriously, there’s plenty of dumb car names. Let me enlighten you with some European ones - as in, how they’re called in Europe.
The Volkswagen Bora (it may be a Jetta in the US). Due to its name and its dull shape, it quickly became the VW Boring. And rightfully so
Suzuki Swift. Well, not really it ain’t!
Suzuki Alto. I’ve driven it for about 200 meters. Nothin alto about it: a dwarf would bump his head getting in.
Citroen SM. Yes, really. One of the most stunning cars ever, the SM was a Citroen body with a Maserati engine, built in the early 70’s. But honestly, that name…
Maserati Quattroporte. No shit man, four doors!
Nissan Sunny. Believe me, this is one of the most boring cars ever. It’s like calling a hearse the Chevy BabeMagnet Wagon.
Renault Fuego. Pretty funny, if you know how easy they would, indeed, overheat
Fiat Croma. At the time, Croma was also introduced as a brand of baking margarine in Europe (or at least in the Netherlands).
Kia Pride. Pride? My lunch box is bigger, you idiots!
Opel Calibra. Of all things, it lacked caliber. And good taste, BTW.
Could you speak up in a crowd of people discusing their vehicles and say,“I drive a Jimmy.” I cringe every time I hear that name. Next vehicle that person names will probably be “Marvin”, or “Suzie”.
