Friday, December 21, 2007

japanese cars part 2 - names

Japan has to have the most ridiculous car names of any country. Rarely is there a car name that is Japanese (because that would be uncool) but instead they bungle any foreign word that might make sense?

The duet because it is music for two!

The naked....???? (Actually a really ugly car)

Note this is a car.

This car is made for the Street.

That's .... a car?

The box isn't even very boxy for a car in Japan.


The diva for ladies with an attitude.

FunCargo

Either the big or Homy?

and life on wheels


There is also the...

Applause” - People will clap as it drives by.

Rocky” - the movie or the terrain?

Town Cube” - oh the cube.

“Joy Machine” - sounds kinky.

Acty Crawler” - huh?

“Life Dunk” - if you dunk life is it a good thing or a bad thing?

“Stout” - not the drink but is a good name for an ugly car.

“Toyopet” - ???


“Deliboy” - don't know of many delis or deliboys around here.


“Prairie Joy” - because of the lush prairies of Japan

Big Thumb” - big thumb = small car

“Fairlady” - any men driving this car?

“Delica Space Gear” - A delicious car with space-ship equipment.

"Fit" - driving this car is like exercise!

"Chaser" - never in the lead.

"Sprinter" - perhaps ahead of the Chaser.

"Starlet" - for wanna be movie stars.

"Coaster" - no gas pedal in this one.

"Be -1" - be in one?

"Sunny California" - ...?

"Jazz" - and all that Jazz.

"Today" - today this is a car tomorrow...?

"Bongo Friendee" - the bongo players choice!

"Bongo Brawny" - those players with thick wrists.

"Scrum" - for the rugby lovers.

"Pistachio" - definitely for women.

"Town box" - you never need to leave your car.

"Charade" - it just acts like a car.

"Move latte" - uuuh?

"Elf van" - Santa's choice.

"Fargo Filly" - straight from North Dakota.

and many many more...

1 comment:

MyRideisMe.com said...

Hello!
I love your blog! I used to live in Harajuku (Tokyo) a few years back and now I'm married to a Japanese woman and work at Nissan. Thanks for busting on the Note and El Grand! Those are funny names.
Both of your car blogs are great. I had forgotten about those crazy trucks! Would you consider sharing your auto blogs with my website? www.myrideisme.com

Beyond that, don't worry so much about reverse culture shock. It does exist, but I don't think it's anything to hate your country about. I live in Japan 2.5 years and survived back in the US ok. The worst is restaurants where you can hear other people talking... especially when they're swearing.
Good luck!
Pike