Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 05:37:58 GMT From: comments4unopsameja.com Subject: Update: European makers mostly ignore psycho-babble
A few weeks ago, there was a stunning realization that Mercedes had acquired the rights to *real* names for cars with their purchase of Chrysler. The threat of the the 500 being renamed Ambassador, and the SL being renamed Gremlin, has prompted action by the other European makers. BMW has entered secret negotations to buy Nissan. They plan to use Maxima for the 5 series, and Altima for the 3 series. Exactly how they can have two cars in the lineup with names that mean *the best* remains unexplained. Perhaps egocentric buyers will ignore the silliness and accept the badly needed boost to their self-esteem offered by these names. In the meantime, Volvo plans to expand the illusion of offering an advanced car by renaming models using symbols from the Period Table of Elements. The pipe smokers will probably bite off the stems in excitement. Saab will take the mystic approach. They already use the "-" in model names. They will increase the mystery of what the names mean by adding other typewriter symbols such as , "#", and "%". But Mercedes still has the upper hand. On June 4, they registered the most pretentious names possible. They now have the exclusive rights to name their cars "$$$$", "$$$$$$", and "$$$$$$$$". Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
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