GM Changes Car name because of Canada - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Rudel73 · 10-18-2003, 10:56 AM

Slang crosses up GM

By MARYANNA LEWYCKYJ, TORONTO SUN

It's game over for the Buick LaCrosse in Canada. A General Motors executive yesterday admitted that the future Buick model -- which is set to debut late next year -- will be re-named in Canada after GM learned LaCrosse is a Quebec slang term for masturbation.

The new mid-size sedan, which will replace the Buick Regal, will still go by the name LaCrosse in the U.S.

GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz, who was in Toronto yesterday to address a gathering of GM dealers, said he wasn't aware of LaCrosse's racy roots although he speaks French and spent three years living in Paris.

"I thought I knew every expression existing in the French language for self-gratification, including the crudest ones known to man," said the outspoken Lutz.

He told journalists the proposed name for the new Buick has caused "a slight problem with your francophone fellow Canadians."

This isn't GM's first name snafu. Sales of the popular Chevy Nova stalled when the vehicle was shipped to Spanish-language countries, where "Nova" translated to "doesn't run."

wrongfullyaccuzd · 10-18-2003, 12:28 PM

haha that's a good story, but, as jay leno said last night in regards to it, why do we get rid of that for the canadians yet we still have the HUMMER?

numist · 10-18-2003, 05:32 PM

Credit for link is fark.com, don't forget to cite sources...

link to story

The Nova bit was good too.. we snickered at that in middle school spanglish...

never · 10-19-2003, 09:58 PM

HAHA "i drive a masturbation car. "

wakelagger · 10-20-2003, 05:02 PM

Before I read the post, I thought that GM didn't want to name their car LaCrosse in Canada because they wouldn't want a family car named after a vicious and violent sport.
J'ai supris

pocon1 · 10-20-2003, 05:23 PM

Yeah, they should call it the Buick Hockey, a nice safe name and sport.

thadon · 10-21-2003, 12:24 PM

that is funny as hell

BeBogus · 10-22-2003, 04:18 PM

hahaha... this reminds me of the Problem Chevy had back in the day with the Nova. The car didn't sell really well in spanish speaking contries since No va means no go from what i learned in spanish class lol. it might have been a good idea to change that name as well for selling to that market.
the Chevy No-go haha.. thats cool.

Jam · 10-26-2003, 11:16 PM

thats some funny stufff... but dont blame canada... quebec wanted or wants to seperate anyways

10-18-2003, 10:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rudel73 Psycho	GM Changes Car name because of Canada Slang crosses up GM By MARYANNA LEWYCKYJ, TORONTO SUN It's game over for the Buick LaCrosse in Canada. A General Motors executive yesterday admitted that the future Buick model -- which is set to debut late next year -- will be re-named in Canada after GM learned LaCrosse is a Quebec slang term for masturbation. The new mid-size sedan, which will replace the Buick Regal, will still go by the name LaCrosse in the U.S. GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz, who was in Toronto yesterday to address a gathering of GM dealers, said he wasn't aware of LaCrosse's racy roots although he speaks French and spent three years living in Paris. "I thought I knew every expression existing in the French language for self-gratification, including the crudest ones known to man," said the outspoken Lutz. He told journalists the proposed name for the new Buick has caused "a slight problem with your francophone fellow Canadians." This isn't GM's first name snafu. Sales of the popular Chevy Nova stalled when the vehicle was shipped to Spanish-language countries, where "Nova" translated to "doesn't run."

10-18-2003, 12:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
wrongfullyaccuzd Addict Location: NoVA	haha that's a good story, but, as jay leno said last night in regards to it, why do we get rid of that for the canadians yet we still have the HUMMER?

10-18-2003, 05:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
numist Banned Location: UCSD, 510.49 miles from my love	Credit for link is fark.com, don't forget to cite sources... link to story The Nova bit was good too.. we snickered at that in middle school spanglish...

10-19-2003, 09:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
never Tilted	HAHA "i drive a masturbation car. "

10-20-2003, 05:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
wakelagger Insane Location: Toronto	Before I read the post, I thought that GM didn't want to name their car LaCrosse in Canada because they wouldn't want a family car named after a vicious and violent sport. J'ai supris

10-20-2003, 05:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
pocon1 Banned	Yeah, they should call it the Buick Hockey, a nice safe name and sport.

10-21-2003, 12:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
thadon Cruisin thru life Location: Alpharetta, GA	that is funny as hell

10-22-2003, 04:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
BeBogus Upright	hahaha... this reminds me of the Problem Chevy had back in the day with the Nova. The car didn't sell really well in spanish speaking contries since No va means no go from what i learned in spanish class lol. it might have been a good idea to change that name as well for selling to that market. the Chevy No-go haha.. thats cool.

10-26-2003, 11:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jam Junkie	thats some funny stufff... but dont blame canada... quebec wanted or wants to seperate anyways