Naming a car is not an easy process. We must find a nomenclature that identifies the characteristics and benefits of the car, making it recognizable. You must also have the patent, so that no other product on the market has the same or similar name. And, of course, it is necessary to avoid unfortunate words or words that give rise to error or ridicule.
A priori, one might think that the name of the car would not be a criterion on which to base or not the choice of buying it, since it does not influence its true function. But the truth is that it can dissuade us from getting a specific model if its name is so peculiar that we know it will lead to recurring jokes every time someone sees us driving it.
Sometimes, the unfortunate name of a car has its origin in the fact that it was so named abroad, without its creators being aware of the meaning of the word in other countries. Other times, it is the result of carelessness. In some cases the names have been changed in the country where it would not have been well received, while others continue to proudly display that title that earns them the odd meme on the internet.
In 2019, the Czech company Performance Solutions named a supercar the Mosquito. This nomenclature did not do justice to its aggressive aesthetics and its powerful engine, but the truth is that it received that name in honor of a British combat aircraft that stood out for its lightness and speed in World War II.
Very popular was the Nissan Moco, which was marketed between 2001 and 2016. It was never sold in Spain, but it did become popular due to its particular name. The Lancia Marica, which dated back to the late 1960s, also had no presence in the Spanish market. Other cars with striking names that were not marketed in Spain were the Mazda Laputa and the Lamborghini Reventón.
It was sold in Spain, but with a name change, the Mitsubisi Pajero, which was marketed in the Spanish market as the Mitsubisi Montero. The name was also changed to the Opel Cascada, which entered our borders as the Opel Cabrio. And in 2016, the outbreak of the Zika virus forced the name change of the Tata Zica, which was renamed Tiago.
Also very humorous in our country, it is worth mentioning the Hyundai Kona, as it is the Galician term to colloquially refer to a vagina. Just like the KIA Borrego, although this word refers to a lamb, we also use it in Spain as an insult. Another case worth mentioning is the Toyota Isis.
Outside our borders, the Seat Málaga had to be sold as Gredos in Greece, since the word Málaga is phonetically very similar to the Greek term malaka, which means sissy. In Sweden they marketed the Fiat Regata with that same name, knowing that it meant unfaithful wife. And, although it was never marketed, Ford presented a car called Corrida.
