Controversial car names Not only Mahindra BE 6e, there was huge controversy due to the names of these cars, many companies including Tata-Honda are victims.

New Delhi. Mahindra recently changed the name of its new electric SUV BE 6e to BE 6. This decision was taken when Indigo Airlines raised objection over the rights of the brand name ‘6E’. IndiGo claimed that ‘6E’ is part of their IATA code, which they use on commercial flights. However, Mahindra was ultimately forced to change the name of its car.

This is not the first time that there has been controversy over the name of a vehicle. Even before this, problems have come to light regarding the names of many cars. This incident reminds us of other vehicles whose names either created controversy or created confusion in the market. Let us take a look at some such interesting stories of controversies related to the names of vehicles…

When Tata’s ‘Zippy’ became ‘Tiago’
Tata Tiago is the company’s popular hatchback model in India, but it was earlier named ‘Zika’. This name was chosen because the car reflected its agile performance and fun-driving ability. But in 2016, when the Zika virus spread across the world, Tata Motors realized that their name might send the wrong message. In such a situation, he changed it to ‘Tiago’. This change was not only necessary for the company but was also a wise step to maintain engagement with customers.

Mitsubishi had to change the name of Pajero
Mitsubishi Pajero is considered a prestigious name in the world of SUVs, but in Spain it had to be sold under the name ‘Shogun’. Reason? ‘Pajero’ means ‘idiot’ in Spanish or a word with a vulgar reference. In such a situation, Mitsubishi decided to change the name and respecting the sentiments of the market, launched it with the name ‘Shogun’.

chevrolet car flopped because of name
Chevrolet launched its ‘Nova’ car in Mexico in the 1970s. However, ‘nova’ means ‘does not move’ in Spanish. This failed to connect with customers and had a negative impact on car sales. This incident is a great example of the consequences of ignoring language and local context in marketing.

Honda changed the name to ‘Jazz’
Honda’s ‘Jazz’ is a popular car, but initially it was launched with the name ‘Fit’. You won’t see anything wrong with this name, but the use of this word could be controversial in countries like Norway because there this word is known as a derogatory abuse. To avoid this controversy, Honda named it ‘Jazz’ in many markets. This was a small but very necessary change.

Skoda ‘Laura’ made fun of in India too
Skoda launched its premium sedan in 2005 and named it ‘Laura’. But in India this name took a different meaning. ‘Laura’ is an obscene word in Hindi and because of this the name has become a subject of joke on social media and in general conversation. Although the car performed well in the market, discussions and jokes about the name continued for a long time.

Lessons for auto companies
This incident is a lesson for automobile companies that naming is not just a creative process, but it is very important to take deep care of language, culture and local context. The right name can enhance the brand’s image, while a wrong name can make it the center of controversy.

Tags: Auto News, Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata Motors