What's in a name?

Submitted: Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:39
ThreadID: 12867 Views:2310 Replies:20 FollowUps:43
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I've often wondered how vehicle manufacturers choose the names for their various models. I saw one yesterday called a 'Santa Fe' (made by Hyundai I think) and I can't fathom why they would name an Australian released vehicle after a town in Argentina or the capitol of New Mexico.
Why did Nissan call one of their models a Navarra - a province in northwest Spain.
Why did Toyota call one of their models a Prado - the Spanish national art museum.

Even one of our greatest icons, the Kingswood - a parliamentary constituency in South Gloucestrshire, south western England. Why didn't they name it after one of our own Aussie constituencies?

The only name I can think of that makes any sense at all is Landcruiser - something that cruises the land. I say this with no bias whatsoever, even if I do have the greatest 4wd ever made sitting in the driveway - HZJ75 Landcruiser Troopy.

Diesel 1
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Reply By: Goran - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:41

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:41
Second greatest....right after 80 series :-)
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:58

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:58
Kingswood a town in south west NSW, Monaro as well and Torana near Oberon.
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Follow Up By: Dion - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:13

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:13
There is a Kingswood in S.A. too, in the Flinders only a stones throw from where I live.

Cheers,

Dion.
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Follow Up By: bigfella - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:37

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:37
I know it is petty but as I live in Bathurst, the above is actually TARANA and not Torana as stated. Tarana is great little place as well - has a great pub.
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Follow Up By: Vince NSW - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 15:12

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 15:12
Bigfella,
The pub is all Tarana has
Vince
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 15:14

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 15:14
What else do you need.
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:15

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:15
Have sunk a few in that there TARANA pub myself a long looooong time ago though.... used to camp on the edge of a river about a half hour drive outta town (from memory, anyway). Very pretty countryside!
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:33

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:33
Then you've got a town between Queanbeyan (Bungendore actually) and Goulburn called "TARAGO". (but the emphasis is on the first "a" not the 2nd).
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:39

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:39
Roachie,
I am curious..... the emphasis bit you mentioned... does it mean the pronunciation is
T-AY-RAGO or TAR-RAGO
????
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:54

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:54
It's TA-RARGO, as in LAGER the R is silent and invisable.
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:06

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:06
Hey Baz

"It's TA-RARGO, as in LAGER the R is silent and invisable."

In that case, if the R is silent and invisable (sic) then it would be
TA-ARGO
Just me being Pedantic with Symantics
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Follow Up By: Brian - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:19

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:19
What about Belmont ??? that is also a town ????

Brian
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:21

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:21
Blokes......shizam!!!!!
Y'all have got me buggared now about these pronuniations....

TARAGO (the Toyota people mover) is pronounced "t' rar go"

TARAGO (the village) is pronounced "tar ago" where the "a" in first bit sounds like "a" in apple.

Oh dear, I think it's time for my medication....3 bex and 3 crown lagers should fix it.
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:34

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:34
Is that the first "a" or the second "a", ah, ey !!! i'll have a vincent and a toohey's old and a good lie down, oh Brian i went to Belmont high and lived right on the shore's of Lake Macquarie.
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Reply By: Member - Athol (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:52

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 12:52
When Holden did they can't even get the spelling right Adventra !!!!! . I guess if they named cars after aussie icons etc. you could have the Ford- coat hanger or perhaps the holden- opera but that would have to have big sweeping tail lights. haha. Any more suggestions?
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Reply By: Member - Don (QLD) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:00

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:00
Compact 4WD - Toyota Stubbie

hehe
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:10

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:10
It would be an echo in S.A.
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Reply By: Des Lexic - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:10

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:10
Mr Bitchie's Pajero is another one.
I've always been led to believe that it's Spanish for masturbater
Say no more!!!!!!!!
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Follow Up By: Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:35

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:35
Hi Des...yes in Latin American dialects that's what Pajero means...so Mitsubishi renamed the Pajero - Montero for some markets..which means mountaineer, but unfortunately on their Website in Spanish it appears as Montero/Pajero [with both versions of spanish] - which may seem to indicate a very busy and rather shortsighted Mountaineer....lol
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Follow Up By: Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:40

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:40
actually they've changed their website now...at least in Spanish...and now just have a mountain goat and a mountaineer jumping for joy...enough said perhaps...ahahhaha ???
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Follow Up By: John - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:47

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 13:47
Always knew you had to be a wanker to drive a Pajero. LOL
VKS737 - Mobile 6352 (Selcall 6352)

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

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Follow Up By: Member - Allan Mac (VIC) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:49

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:49
So where does that leave me? I drive a "Bits are missing" Challenger which in the good ol us of a is a Montero Sports. Geez the mind boggles!!!
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Reply By: Jon - '88 TD42 GQ - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:01

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:01
Patrol and Land Rover make sense. In fact I suspect the later inspired your trucks name.

True most car name make no sense, I guess that's why the Europeans tend to use numeric model designations.
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:24

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:24
Don't forget the one they named after me in my youth...Mighty Boy"
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Reply By: Baldrick - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:39

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 14:39
Some classics (not necessarily 4wd) from Japan:

Daihatsu
Rugger
Ford (sold through Mazda)
Probe
Hino
Rising Ranger
Super Dolphin Profia
Honda
Acty Crawler
Civic Shuttle
CR-V ("Comfortable Runabout Vehicle")
Orthia
Rafaga
Today
Isuzu
Bighorn
Mu
Mazda
Anfini MPV
Bongo Brawny
Bongo Friendee
Carol
Scrum
Mitsubishi
Fighter
New Aero Queen
Pajero
Mitsuoka
Galut
Viewt
Nissan
Big Thumb
Cedric
Homy
Prairie Joy
Space Arrow
Sunny California
Suzuki
Cappuccino
Cultus
Toyota
Cynos
Estima
Windom
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Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:18

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 16:18
Add Jimny to the list!!!!
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 06:43

Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 06:43
oh..... and GALANT
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Reply By: B3 - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:02

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:02
My favourite would have to be the Mitsubishi Starion. Legend has it that Mistsubishi wanted to keep the horsey theme after the sucess of their Colt car.....and decided on Stallion, but the Japlish language and the confusion with "r" and "l" gave us the starion !!!
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:09

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:09
hahahaha, how do you explain Starwagon, Stalwagon ???
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Reply By: Ian Bee - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:22

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:22
Okay...... this will freak you out!!!!!

When driving around Adelaide with my 20 ( yes.....20 ) year old son, we play this game.....

What ever vehicle we pull up behind at stop lights, we have to pronounce it's name backwards, we take turns in this, and in doing so, we have to weave a never ending story, as such......

Lortap and Nassin arrived at the planet Odarp. Upon arrival, they were summond to see the leader Orejap. Orejap explained to them that the planet was under attack from the Namsetats, who were trying to form an alliance with the Ikuzus.

"We need your help to perfect the Efatnas project". Lortap explained that to finish the project, they would have to go below the planets crust and mine Resiurc.

Okay........ I think you get the drift..........

I wonder if anyone out there will add to this.........mmmmmm??????

Cheers

Ian BEE
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Follow Up By: Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:30

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:30
Ian,

not sure that I can add to it...but gee it got me hooked...ahahahhahha...

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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:47

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:47
We will have to employ the services of rerolpex he is the only one that can go that deep to get enough Reiurc for project Efatnas, Lortap.
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Follow Up By: floyd - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 12:05

Monday, May 17, 2004 at 12:05
Get off the drugs. You guys are weird in SA
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Reply By: Ian Bee - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:54

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 17:54
"Understood, but we will have to arm ourselves with a Rednaleerf gun and maybe some Vrc and Liartx gas in case we enconter the guards of the Regenllahc sector....."
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:10

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:10
General Yrmac from planet Dnal Revor said he would help with Rednefed and Noclaf if you need it.
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Follow Up By: Ian Bee - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:29

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:29
"Please inform General Yrmac that we will accept his offer"

Lortap & Nassin now find themselves travelling deeper and deeper into the bowels of the planet. "Keep an eye out for any rogue Snoirats" says Lortap.

As they near below ground zero, the plasma lift suddenly comes to an abrupt halt.....
"What now Lortap?" say the crew......

Lortap quickly asseses the situation and commands Nedloh to run as front guard,

" I have the feeling that this mission is being sabotaged by the Drof clan, we must become one with the earth that lines this tunnel, seek shelter and remain calm" Lortap instructs.....
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:53

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:53
General Yrmac said Lortap is right, Drof clan plans to attack Odrap and capture it for himself for the Resiurc so tell Nedloh give out more Vrc and Liartx gas and hold as long as you can to give Yrmac enough time to get there.
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:03

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:03
I'm sorry Lortap, General Yrmac has been over thrown in a coup by Efiw and command HQ on Dnal Revor has been destroyed, help will not be coming.................................................................................................................................................
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Follow Up By: Ian Bee - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:09

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:09
Oh dear....... our group are in a picke. Meanwhile on Earth, Commodore Erodommoc & General Motors decide to send in the flagship "Ihsitbustim" piloted by Atoyot and Adzam.

" May the Lightforce be with you......." says the commodore as he watches the ship depart it's space moorings.

Adzam plots the course and then sets the ship into hyperdrive, engages centre diff lock and keeps his hands over the ARB air locker controls just in case.

Atoyat arms the Aik Aik guns, incase they encounter the scum of the 4 x 4 sector, the infamous Idnuyh clan.......
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Follow Up By: Ian Bee - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:23

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:23
Meanwhile, in a land far, far away, the leader of the Ustahiad tribe had learned of the new rescue attempt from Earth.

" These people are going to be travelling through our sacred space lands" he said.

" We must not let them scan our monument from the side of the setting sun, and if they wish to land for supplies, thay must not be allowed to climb the sacred steps of our rock, or take holographic images of us....we should consult our federal elders and impose a galaxy tax"

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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:38

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:38
Nustad an old friend of Nassin is on holidays on Oorrekaj and hears of Yrmac plight and sends Oedor and his army to retake Dnal Revor in time and hpefully still save Lortap, but Efiw is strong and has lots of Xulih and Aravan in her arsenal wish us luck.
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Follow Up By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:01

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:01
IAN do I not remember you putting up a post only days ago about GETTING A LIFE , perhaps another planet!!!
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Follow Up By: Ian Bee - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:41

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:41
Darn....... my cover has been blown!!!!

I must now retreat......

I shall return......

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Reply By: Hedonist - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:07

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 18:07
The Datsun 200B was supposedly a 180B with 20 more design faults....
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Reply By: Diesel 1 - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:05

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:05
Another one out of the Hyundai stable gets me - Terracan. According to the Hyundai website literally translated means 'king of the earth' - rubbish! The word 'terra' means earth, but the word 'can' along with other translations means toilet. So, 'terracan' becomes 'earth toilet' which is a 'long drop'. A long drop is a dunny.

Sorry about that all you dunny drivers.

Diesel 1
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Follow Up By: Diesel 1 - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:12

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:12
What about the Jackeroo - the meaning of the word is trainee. Are Holden implying that this vehicle is only a trainee and maybe one day it will learn to be as good as it's mentor - the mighty Landcruiser?

Diesel 1
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Reply By: Diesel Do - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:09

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:09
My favourite is the Citroen Escargo. It looks just like one! Well sorta. Have a chuckle whenever I see one on the road.

I think the Ford Territory is a great name.

Diesel - you and I don't win any prizes for originality do we ;-)

My tag came about when I was puzzling over what names to use on the forum.

These'll do...

Regards,
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Follow Up By: Diesel 1 - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:22

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 19:22
G'day Diesel Do,

I've had the tag for a lot of years being a diesel mechanic and in my younger days I used to have a go at bull riding at a few of the rodeos just for the fun of it. One of the 'greats' of the rodeo circuit was a bloke named Diesel Dixon and seeing as how it's also my surname, the name stuck - the only difference between him & me was that he stayed upright for 8 seconds - I usually only just made it out of the chute.

Diesel 1
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Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 06:39

Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 06:39
I saw a "convoy" of about 8 or so of the Territory here on the Gold Coast last thursday.. driver and "navi" all wearing a uniform of sorts and keeping notes on clipboards.... I hadn't heard of them before, they are a nice looking car although obviously a "soft-roader".... anyone know anything about them???
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Follow Up By: Member - Allan Mac (VIC) - Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 13:10

Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 13:10
You know doubt have heard about the diesel fitter in the womens underwear factory. His job was to check the finished product. He would pick each item up and decide " diesel fitter.. diesel do .. diesel ....
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Reply By: Member - Peter Z (VIC) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:29

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:29
Sounds like a lot of Gorf Tish to me , but also a bit of Nuf.
Happy travellin,
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Reply By: Member - Allan Mac (VIC) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:58

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 20:58
And what was ford thinkin of when they named their famous "Ka" Cant help myself as I pass one.. point at it and LMHO
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Follow Up By: Member - StevenL - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 21:06

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 21:06
Did you see the Sports Ka cat killer video?????????

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Reply By: Member - StevenL - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 21:05

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 21:05
As far as good names for 4bys go I think you just cannot beat "Land Cruiser"!

I am not sure if the Prado quite deserves the Land Cruiser prefix but after driving mine for a week I now that it will do me.

Someone at work told me today that Prado means "meadow" in another language (Spanish I think). Can anyone confirm this?

Cheers

Steven
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 21:44

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 21:44
Yes Prado is Spanish, meadow in English. So your land cruiser was built for cruising across meadows eh!

Hard to go past Land Rover for a name.
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Follow Up By: Member - StevenL - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 21:52

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 21:52
Meadows can get pretty rough you know.....LOL

Steven
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Follow Up By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:32

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:32
Great rig pic, Playdoe looks great, except I thought I saw a week old fingerprint on it?
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Reply By: Vinnie - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:13

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:13
Maverick - Nissan look-a-like
Loner - Strayer - Resister
Yep pretty much sums up a Ford
Vinne
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Reply By: Whinney - Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:20

Friday, May 14, 2004 at 22:20
What is the seating capacity of a SUBARU, backwards?
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Follow Up By: Wombat - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 11:23

Monday, May 17, 2004 at 11:23
Yeah - I'd always shy away from a vehicle that appeared in the rear view mirror of others as U R A BUS.
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Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 06:34

Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 06:34
LAughed my a** off at the Planet story above.... good one Ian and Baz!!!!

Another name that gets me is "Applause"..... my sons often will start clapping when they see one on the road which, in a "quiet" period n the truck can be a bit of a "heart-starter"!!!!

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Reply By: GregA - Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 17:41

Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 17:41
But what about the Toyota Kluger? Is there a chance that it's named after KRUGER National Park in South Africa but the name got bastardised in that typical Jap way?

Greg..
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Follow Up By: Savvas - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 07:22

Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 07:22
It's a Toyota Highlander everywhere else. But Hyundai (I think) have registered Highlander in Australia and Toyota can't use it.

Kluger is just too close to Cludger for me. They could have done better on that one.
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