Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

I'm surprised there hasn't been a thread made on Korean car names. I just start laughing whenever I see these cars.

The Chairman - I'm guessing that this car is for the VIP wannabe. This is one car I don't see smart CEOs wanting to drive just because of the name alone.

Retona (jeep / small SUV) - A Korean told me that Retona is the abreviation of Return To Nature. Ironically named, this gas guzzler will make sure nature dies and never returns.

Santa Fe (SUV) - Why? And they chose an American place too. Korea's idol?

Pride - Here's advertising lying at its best. Imagine the immense pride you'll have owning a small family car.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think there's anything wrong with these cars - just their names. Very Happy

Please add to the list if you have any.

swetepete · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Location: a limp little burg

The 'equus' always cracks me up. I know they like Harry Potter, but...

Nolan Ryan · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject:

My nomination is a blast from the past , "POTENTIA", an obvious ripoff of late 80's /early 90's Toyota Camry! 100% , box shaped,piece of pure Korean crapola! Were they trying to portray it as having "potential"? Like all cars made in this country, the designs were obviously stolen from the more superior car building countries. After all, we all know that the Equus is really a cross between a poor man's Mercedes, and a BMW...

I have to wonder too about Sante Fe, Tucson etc......for a country so anti-American, why aren't the car's names changed or at least branded here to reflect Korean cities like, Kwangju, Daejon, Pusan? I guess they aren't cool-sounding enough!

And who was the genius who came out with "Damas"?...They really serve no purpose other than to take up space, and tempt people like me to tip them over! You can't fit many N..Korean escapees in them, the payload is terrible...zero horsepower...need I go on? If the intent was for thrifty customers, then why didn't they call it the "Miser" or "Schyster" or something like that?

I am surprised that these wiseazzes haven't named one after Dokdo! Hold that thought, maybe the day is coming... Rolling Eyes

kimchi story · Joined: 23 Nov 2006

wtf is Matiz? Matisse? The cutting edge of the modern automobile? Somehow raw and primitive, yet still soulful and refined?

I noticed yesterday that when a new Matiz is coming at you around dusk, so the headlights are on but you can still see the car, they look quasi-crosseyed like some anime tart.

Rapacious Mr. Batstove · Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Location: Central Areola

The Hyundai 'Spagon' sports wagon. I kid you not. They're out there.

C'mon Kids, let go for a ride in the SPAGON. Yayyyy!

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

"Enterprise" Warp speed 9!!

"Rodius" because it rhymes with hideous?

sojourner1 · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 4:46 am Post subject:

Many car names center around social status such as, "Chairman", and "President". I have not seen any for a teacher, guess that might be an, "Accent". I see all these cars that are very similiar to Mercedes, Ford, Chevy, Jaguar, and many others, but are all Korean made cars. Well, the American auto industry is seeing a huge downturn, becuase other countries stole thier design plans and have no need to import American cars. I did see 2 BMW's and 1 Mercedes so far in 5 months.

I want that executive styled car, but a common motorcycle will do.

HapKi · Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Location: TALL BUILDING-SEOUL

"Verna"
Doesn't that have 1950's grandmother written all over it?

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

I like those cute, little Kia Vistos... hehehe^^

ichan · Joined: 09 May 2007 Location: Seoul

what about CERATO in tagalog it means "it's broken" Laughing

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Bongo. Whats up with that name? Sounds like "dumbo".

kimchi story · Joined: 23 Nov 2006

cuppotea · Joined: 05 May 2007

i think the "korando," an suv type vehicle, is kinda lame. obviously the "kor" is short for korea/korean whatever, but the "ando?" im at a loss....

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Korando is apparently a contraction of "Korea Can Do".

If you look at the Wikipedia article for Daewoo, it lists a number of cars, some of which have name explanations:

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

I believe the Bongo named after Omar Bongo, the president of Gabon. I read somewhere that once he visited one of the Korean presidents.

Equus is Latin for 'horse', but it always reminds me of this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equus_(play)

As for the new Hyundai's very American names: Hyundai motors' newest design facilities are located in the US.