Speaking of car names, William Lozito at NameWire writes today about Cadillac's new hydrogen-powered concept car, the Provoq, and a still-unnamed 30-horsepower "people's car" from Tata Motors Ltd., the biggest automaker in India.
The Provoq was announced today at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. Other than being provocative--or simply annoying--it's not clear how the car's name and odd spelling connect to the benefit of being "free from petroleum fuel or emissions." On the other hand, it's still a concept car: the name could change if the car ever goes into production.
Tata's "people's car," which will sell for about $2,500, will officially debut tomorrow at the New Delhi motor show. "People's car" is not, of course, to be confused with its direct translation into German, "Volkswagen."
My inner adolescent wishes Tata would name this car--or some car--the Bodacious. Alas, Tata Motors' parent company, Tata Sons Ltd., has proven to be rather humorless about "bodacious" in connection with "tatas."
A little further off topic, car guy Paul Niedermeyer writes here about bodacious Tatras, Austrian autos manufactured between the 1930s and 1970s.
I hear on the grapevine that Tata's low-cost car is to be called the 'Nano'. Is it right that they're expected to call an even smaller-engined version, the 'Shuffle'?
Posted by: John Russell | January 10, 2008 at 11:49 AM
John: See my Jan. 10 post, which gives an update on the new Tata car.
Posted by: Nancy Friedman | January 10, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Wait, I have breasts (bodaciousness level not clear). I'm thinking of suing Tata for infringing on my bosom.
Posted by: Schmoopie | January 10, 2008 at 01:40 PM