How come luxury cars don't have names?

[Martin]

For example Lexus, Infiniti, BMW or Mercedes have model numbers like RX300, QX45, 325i, SL600 etc, while ford, hyundai and others have names like Taurus, Ellantra etc.


Is it because the luxury car companies feel their cars too good to have names or something like that?

 

[Eli]

It's just a model designation, you're reading into it too much.

 

[Anubis]

im guessing there is no real reason at all

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: Eli
It's just a model designation, you're reading into it too much.

but why don't low end cars have model numbers? There's gotta be some reason.


The only luxury cars with names (that I can think of) are the super luxury ones, like the Ferrari Modena, Lamborghini Murcielago or Austin Martin Vanquish.

 

[Windogg]

Many car companies use numbers because it is easier to market here and overseas. From a business standpoint, it is very difficult to come up with names that describe the car but not have any negative meaning behind it. What is trendy today could also mean a lewd sex act a few years from now. It also makes it easier for the company to transition from model to model with less confusion. For example, Acura used to have the "Vigor" but that name made it difficult to shift the focus of its target market. Hence they came up with the "TL" series for "Touring Luxury." Future model could then be introduced with minimal consumer confusion. Plus consumers can now use the number system to get an idea of performance. US silly yanks seem to like big numbers on our cars. Of course the numbers can lie. BMW is the best at doing that.

Windogg

 

[MisterPresident]

Actually, I think car companies started using alphanumeric designations instead of names to promote a "luxury" feeling. I don't understand it, but I'm sure the car companies have put $$$ into research to use name that sound more appealing.

 

[yllus]

I think it has something to do with those car owners dangerously starting to associate their purchase with the model instead of the maker (eg. I drive an Integra instead of I drive an Acura).

If you say you drove an IS 300, most people would blink at you and say, "What?" until you explained that it was a Lexus.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: MartyTheManiak

Originally posted by: Eli
It's just a model designation, you're reading into it too much.

but why don't low end cars have model numbers? There's gotta be some reason.


The only luxury cars with names (that I can think of) are the super luxury ones, like the Ferrari Modena, Lamborghini Murcielago or Austin Martin Vanquish.

those aren't luxury. Those are exotic.

 

[LiQiCE]

The other part of it is when someone asks you, what kindof car do you have ...

The answer from Acura Legend owners was always "I drive a Legend". Honda realized that they had lost their brand recognition with Acura because people were referring to the cars with their model name instead of saying "I have an Acura", like people who drive a BMW or a Benz would say.

So Acura came up with a new naming scheme to define their cars (RL, CL/TL, TSX/RSX, NSX, MDX).

Acura was the only "luxury" car company that I can think of that did the switch from a "name" for their models to just using some sortof abbreviation or whatever. But the idea behind it is that you're supposed to associate your car as an Acura, Lexus, BMW, Benz, or whatever and not as just a model name like "Accord".


Of course, when people ask me what kindof car I have, I find it way too much to say "I have an Acura 3.2 TL Type-S" ... so my usual answer is "TL-S". And the BMW owners I know usually say (unless they're trying to show off) "I have a 330i" or whatever ...

 

[Scootin159]

Originally posted by: yllus
If you say you drove an IS 300, most people would blink at you and say, "What?" until you explained that it was a Lexus.

I drive a 944...

A What??!?!

A Porsche

oOOOhhh

hehe