Car names play a prominent role, as a sonorous name may attract customers even more than technical specifications.

Some car monikers in certain languages sound ridiculous and sometimes simply indecent. Let’s talk about them.

There are a number of vehicles with inappropriate names for Spanish-speaking countries, such as:

Mitsubishi Pajero

“Pajero” basically means self-gratification in the most physical sense. Therefore, for Latin America, the model was called differently – the Montero.

Мazda Laputa

The one who came up with this name was quite familiar with literature – that was the name of the island on which Gulliver ended up. However, in Spanish la puta means “prostitute”.

Ford Pinto

In Spanish-speaking countries, this model (upper photo) has failed: “pinto”, in addition to other quite normal meanings., means …” male genitalia” in slang.

Nissan Moco

“Moco” means “booger” (a piece of dried nasal mucus).

Chevrolet Nova

Spanish “No va” is translated into English as “not going.” Such a name of the car could cause at least an ironic grin from a Hispanic buyer, but in fact, the model sold well in North America in the 60-70s. By the way, from 1985 to 1988, locally assembled Toyota Corolla was sold under this name in the USA.

Fiat Punto

In the language of dissatisfied Spanish-speaking customers, “punto” means not only “point”, but also… “a tiny dick.”

Volkswagen failed with the monikers ‘Vento’ and ‘Jetta’ in Italy:

Volkswagen Vento

“Vento” is slang for farting.

Volkswagen Jetta

In Italian, the letter J is practically not used, so everyone there pronounces it as “Letta” – “thrown in the garbage.”

Besides,

Volkswagen Touareg

is consonant to the English “toerag”.

Volkswagen Up

also sounds strange and dubious.

What about France? There are nuances here too:

Toyota MR2

In France, this model was not in favor, because. in French, MR2 sounds like “merde”, which means “shit”.

Audi e-tron

“Etron” is the same as “merde”.

Audi TT Coupe

This Audi was unlucky in France, because “tete coupe” means “severed head”.

Buick LaCrosse

In Canadian Quebec, “LaCrosse” has a slang meaning of “solo sex”.

Honda Fitta

This is how the manufacturer initially planned to name the Honda Fit /Jazz but gave up the idea because the word “fitta” is vulgar (the same as “pussy” ) in Scandinavia.

Dodge Challenger and Dodge Dart Swinger

Using monikers “Challenger” and “Swinger”, Dodge causes cognitive dissonance, since Challenger is associated with the American space shuttle and Swinger with…you know what.

Мercedes-Benz Vaneo and Nissan Serena

evoke associations with well-known manufacturers of toilet paper and feminine pads.

Тоyota Opa and Toyota Vitz

In German, “Opa” is “grandpa” and “vitz” sounds like German “witze” (joke). Good names for cars for youngsters, aren’t they?

Мazda Titan Dump and Suzuki Cappuccino

“Mazda Titan Dump Truck” is a normal combination, but “dump” alone, without the word “truck” takes on a different meaning.

The name Cappuccino somehow does not fit with a two-seater roadster.

Geely Rural Nanny and Ford Probe

“Rural Nanny” is just the perfect name for a pickup truck! As for the Ford Probe liftback coupé, the moniker would seem innovative for the new model, if not for the medical meaning of the word: a fecal analysis is called so.