Who comes up with those wacky car names?

Unseen · June 20th, 2008, 02:59 AM

Did the word Camry exist before it became the name of a car? Silly name. Does Toyota have a computer with a random word generator subroutine, I wonder.

And what genius at General Motors thought it'd be a good idea to name a car after a speeding ticket? (Chevy Citation)

Nick JD · June 20th, 2008, 03:29 AM

A Camry is a mystical Japanese alpine cat that is only known to exist because explorers have found and analyzed it's dung, which it's said can be smelled from up to a mile away.

The Corolla and the Miata are carnivorous seahorses that are often seen following Japanese fishing trawlers sucking down the guts of sashimi tuna.

Lexus is a middle-english term for the noise elderly people make just after they have decided that their bowels have been sufficiently evacuated and it's time to wipe.

The Nissan was a dragon who breathed fire but also, tragically like to wear polyester. He didn't last long.

jwsamuel · June 20th, 2008, 06:16 AM

What genius at Ford decided that a car aimed at female buyers should be called Probe?

Jim

Roli · June 20th, 2008, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick JD

A Camry is a mystical Japanese alpine cat that is only known to exist because explorers have found and analyzed it's dung, which it's said can be smelled from up to a mile away.

The Corolla and the Miata are carnivorous seahorses that are often seen following Japanese fishing trawlers sucking down the guts of sashimi tuna.

Lexus is a middle-english term for the noise elderly people make just after they have decided that their bowels have been sufficiently evacuated and it's time to wipe.

The Nissan was a dragon who breathed fire but also, tragically like to wear polyester. He didn't last long.

LMAO!

skydawg · June 20th, 2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick JD

A Camry is a mystical Japanese alpine cat that is only known to exist because explorers have found and analyzed it's dung, which it's said can be smelled from up to a mile away.

So, they don't make good pets? I'm always amazed at the subdivision names that builders come up with; whispering oaks, pineview, creekside gatherings, etc.

e-merlin · June 20th, 2008, 08:07 AM

I'm still waiting for the Hyundai Accordian.

newtwanger · June 20th, 2008, 08:10 AM

I think more now than ever you need a name that comes up clear on a Google search. But you're right about weird names.
Mazda had numbers for their cars in most countries but some got names:
Miata, Millennia, Chronos, Precidia, Protege etc.
(I think these are for the MX-5, 929, 626 and MX-3 or 323 )

The Ford Festiva was a Madza 121.

newtwanger · June 20th, 2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e-merlin

I'm still waiting for the Hyundai Accordian.

I think you gotta get with the naming trick, "Accordian" is just silly, "Accordia" is a cool new car name!

(then Honda sues them cuz of the Accord...)

Stefan · June 20th, 2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e-merlin

I'm still waiting for the Hyundai Accordian.

and I´m still waiting for Renault Vagina.

Anyone else that thinks Volvo is a part of the female anatomy?

Durtdog · June 20th, 2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skydawg

I'm always amazed at the subdivision names that builders come up with; whispering oaks, pineview, creekside gatherings, etc.

True story:
A friend bought a house in a Charleston subdivision that some genius named Byrnes Downe. Think about it.

FirstBassman · June 20th, 2008, 08:28 AM

I don't know about Japanese cars.
But I've read a couple of books about U.S. auto companies.
And the number of name choices and the consumer "research" that goes into them is just amazing.
But then again they also come up with names like "Edsel."

Durtdog · June 20th, 2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

But then again they also come up with names like "Edsel."

Edsel Ford was Henry Ford's son.

SixStringSlinger · June 20th, 2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durtdog

True story:
A friend bought a house in a Charleston subdivision that some genius named Byrnes Downe. Think about it.

I think your firend is safe. These places are always named for what's missing. Whispering Oaks aren't quiet, they're just not there. Pineview has no pine view.

There's a subdivison here called Lakes of the Meadow. All the lakes in Miami are man-made and there isn't a single meadow, unless you include that strip of grass between the rows of houses.

GhostofJohnToad · June 20th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Most of it is marketing firms. Auto companies might have an idea what they want but a lot of it they leave to the marketing people to figure out. For instance the name Acura was developed because Honda wanted a name that reminded people of accuracy. Thus the logo as well. Kinda the thing with Lexus. Reminds one of luxury.

Preacher · June 20th, 2008, 11:03 AM

My daughter's name is Camry...
it means "crown" in Japanese...

Stevie 202 · June 20th, 2008, 11:27 AM

SixStringSlinger wrote:

I think your firend is safe. These places are always named for what's missing. Whispering Oaks aren't quiet, they're just not there. Pineview has no pine view.

There's a subdivison here called Lakes of the Meadow. All the lakes in Miami are man-made and there isn't a single meadow, unless you include that strip of grass between the rows of houses.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I lived in an apartment complex called 'Forest Ridge', named for the trees that USED to be there before they built the complex. Go figger.

GEISHA · June 20th, 2008, 11:37 AM

Pontiac
Poor Old Nanny Thinks It's A Cadillac

Lotus
Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious

BRM
British Racing Misery

FirstBassman · June 20th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durtdog

Edsel Ford was Henry Ford's son.

Really ... ? No kidding? I am shocked.

I had no idea.

Doug Ferguson · June 20th, 2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durtdog

True story:
A friend bought a house in a Charleston subdivision that some genius named Byrnes Downe. Think about it.

Lot of fire hydrants in that place, durt?

skydawg · June 20th, 2008, 07:31 PM

FIAT: Fix It Again, Tony

boris bubbanov · June 20th, 2008, 07:59 PM

Studebaker actually sold a car model called the Dictator.

And Buick offered from time to time the Limited model.

Mr. Edsel Ford was a major influence on the introduction of style, colors, upholstery choices and the like at Ford in the late 1930s until his death in 1942; which really saved Ford from Henry's narrow vision of function follows function follows function. He died of cancer well ahead of his Dad, and in all probability would have despised the car line eventually named for him. Negative connotations about the "name" actually only got started around 1960, when the line was discontinued and the undercooked 1958 and 1959 models began self-destructing. For a good long while for older people who remembered the man, they liked the man and his name way more than the car; now that's completely changed.

I wonder what would happen in the US if Toyota was required to return to original choices and sell only the "Toyo-Pet" to American motorists.

boneyguy · June 21st, 2008, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwsamuel

What genius at Ford decided that a car aimed at female buyers should be called Probe?

Jim

Maybe it was to be marketed to the alien population that walk amongst us.

ramblinmike · June 21st, 2008, 12:57 AM

"The name "Camry" comes from a phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり), which means "crown", a tradition started with the Toyota Crown in the 1950's, and continued with the Corolla and Corona, which are also latin words for "crown." - Wikipedia

Knew that most Toyotas were named after crowns, but I had forgotten the specifics. That said, I wonder what my Yaris is named after...

Oh, and is the Hummer named after what I think it's named after?

David Barnett · June 21st, 2008, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

I don't know about Japanese cars.
But I've read a couple of books about U.S. auto companies.
And the number of name choices and the consumer "research" that goes into them is just amazing.
But then again they also come up with names like "Edsel."

At least they didn't call it the "Utopian Turtletop".

In addition to Camry, Toyota had a minivan called the Previa. Mitsubishi once had a sedan and coupe named Cordia and Tredia (I fergit which was which), and another coupe named Starion. Is that "stallion" with an Asian accent?

I can't figure out who at GM thought that naming a car after an element was a good idea, but they've got the Chevy Cobalt. What's next, the Carbon?

The most names I ever saw strung together on one car was the Ford LTD Crown Victoria LX Ghia.

Or, for a car name with no words at all, there was the MGBGT. Richard Thompson even wrote a song about it.

June 20th, 2008, 02:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Unseen Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 61 Posts: 1,408	Who comes up with those wacky car names? Did the word Camry exist before it became the name of a car? Silly name. Does Toyota have a computer with a random word generator subroutine, I wonder. And what genius at General Motors thought it'd be a good idea to name a car after a speeding ticket? (Chevy Citation)

June 20th, 2008, 03:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Nick JD Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 36 Posts: 2,232	A Camry is a mystical Japanese alpine cat that is only known to exist because explorers have found and analyzed it's dung, which it's said can be smelled from up to a mile away. The Corolla and the Miata are carnivorous seahorses that are often seen following Japanese fishing trawlers sucking down the guts of sashimi tuna. Lexus is a middle-english term for the noise elderly people make just after they have decided that their bowels have been sufficiently evacuated and it's time to wipe. The Nissan was a dragon who breathed fire but also, tragically like to wear polyester. He didn't last long. __________________

June 20th, 2008, 06:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
jwsamuel Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2004 Location: Upper Holland, PA Age: 51 Posts: 1,965	What genius at Ford decided that a car aimed at female buyers should be called Probe? Jim __________________ "We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart." - H.L. Mencken

June 20th, 2008, 08:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
newtwanger Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 721 5 Photos	I think more now than ever you need a name that comes up clear on a Google search. But you're right about weird names. Mazda had numbers for their cars in most countries but some got names: Miata, Millennia, Chronos, Precidia, Protege etc. (I think these are for the MX-5, 929, 626 and MX-3 or 323 ) The Ford Festiva was a Madza 121. __________________ _________________

June 20th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#15 (permalink)
Preacher Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma Age: 40 Posts: 245	My daughter's name is Camry... it means "crown" in Japanese... __________________ So many guitars... so little time.

June 20th, 2008, 08:28 AM	#11 (permalink)
FirstBassman Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,155	I don't know about Japanese cars. But I've read a couple of books about U.S. auto companies. And the number of name choices and the consumer "research" that goes into them is just amazing. But then again they also come up with names like "Edsel."

June 20th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
GhostofJohnToad Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 34 Posts: 710 7 Photos	Most of it is marketing firms. Auto companies might have an idea what they want but a lot of it they leave to the marketing people to figure out. For instance the name Acura was developed because Honda wanted a name that reminded people of accuracy. Thus the logo as well. Kinda the thing with Lexus. Reminds one of luxury.

June 20th, 2008, 11:27 AM	#16 (permalink)
Stevie 202 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ottawa Age: 53 Posts: 352	SixStringSlinger wrote: I think your firend is safe. These places are always named for what's missing. Whispering Oaks aren't quiet, they're just not there. Pineview has no pine view. There's a subdivison here called Lakes of the Meadow. All the lakes in Miami are man-made and there isn't a single meadow, unless you include that strip of grass between the rows of houses. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I lived in an apartment complex called 'Forest Ridge', named for the trees that USED to be there before they built the complex. Go figger.

June 20th, 2008, 11:37 AM	#17 (permalink)
GEISHA Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Zaanstad, Netherlands Age: 56 Posts: 272	Pontiac Poor Old Nanny Thinks It's A Cadillac Lotus Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious BRM British Racing Misery __________________ In the beginning Leo Fender created the Precision Bass. And Leo said, “Let there be frets.” And the bass players saw that frets were good. And the out-of-tune notes were separated from the in-tune notes. And the world was transformed.

June 20th, 2008, 07:31 PM	#20 (permalink)
skydawg Removed Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2006 Location: GREATER CHICAGOLAND AREA, USA Age: 55 Posts: 1,158	FIAT: Fix It Again, Tony

June 20th, 2008, 07:59 PM	#21 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 7,652	Studebaker actually sold a car model called the Dictator. And Buick offered from time to time the Limited model. Mr. Edsel Ford was a major influence on the introduction of style, colors, upholstery choices and the like at Ford in the late 1930s until his death in 1942; which really saved Ford from Henry's narrow vision of function follows function follows function. He died of cancer well ahead of his Dad, and in all probability would have despised the car line eventually named for him. Negative connotations about the "name" actually only got started around 1960, when the line was discontinued and the undercooked 1958 and 1959 models began self-destructing. For a good long while for older people who remembered the man, they liked the man and his name way more than the car; now that's completely changed. I wonder what would happen in the US if Toyota was required to return to original choices and sell only the "Toyo-Pet" to American motorists. __________________ Bubban0v

June 21st, 2008, 12:57 AM	#23 (permalink)
ramblinmike Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Long Island NY Age: 23 Posts: 924	Re: Unseen's question "The name "Camry" comes from a phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり), which means "crown", a tradition started with the Toyota Crown in the 1950's, and continued with the Corolla and Corona, which are also latin words for "crown." - Wikipedia Knew that most Toyotas were named after crowns, but I had forgotten the specifics. That said, I wonder what my Yaris is named after... Oh, and is the Hummer named after what I think it's named after?