lok888

Would you like Toyota/Lexus name their vehicles with the engine displacement size (XX350 for an 3.5L engine) or given them a nice name? I think Harrier isn't that bad. It's what they use in JDM for the Toyota. It has been a tread for automoible manufacturers to name their vechiles. I still like car names like Acura Legand, Mazda Protege, etc. And I often confused with Benz R350 these days.

Lexmex

Yeah that would be neat.

Actually, car companies save money in the market research process if they don't have to start having agencies think up of names and using a letter and a number such as the Benzes or BMWs have across the world.

Part of the issue is that usually they are qualitative surveys that are done with a spontaneous and assisted approach. Let me demonstrate. They have to be well constructed and can cost $$$ if done through the wrong agency and/or processes.

I could show someone a picture of an RX and then ask them what comes to mind when they see it. Spontaneous approach. (Sleek, modern, etc.)

Assisted approach would actually involve names provided by the agency or company and asking the focus group participant or interviewee marking off what name(s) they like most and why?

Just giving a letter and number, nothing fancy about that.

lok888

I can see that for newly introduced vehicles. But it is sad to see that some car companies were dropping the model names of their entire model lines and adopt the letter & number thing. And they often round up the number like a car with 2,380 cc engine and use XXX240.

32kcolors

Harrier is pretty bad IMO.

RX_brain

I prefer the letter/number combo for luxury vehicles. IMO, Lexus' letter/number combo makes it easier to call the car's generation w/o having to know the model year.

lok888

Well, naming the vehicle with the engine displayment specs seems easy. But I hope the letter means something.

BobsGX

I agree, that is a horrible name for a vehicle.

32kcolors

IS = Iota Spitfire
ES = Economy Sedan
GS = Grand Sport
LS = Luxury Sedan

RX = Real cool crossover
GX = Grand crossover
LX = Luxury crossover

LophatRX

I don't those of you who know, but the Harrier is also an airplane that can land like a helicopter. And since Japan has a good relationship with our beloved military. They used that for the RX , of course for those who have the air suspension, the RX works like a Harrier (up and down). Imagine these other names, the SC is knows as the Soarer, the IS is the Altezza, and the GS is known as the Aristo, and the LS is the Celsior.
Then Nissan's most famous is the car the Z car was known as the Fairlady, kind of a girlie name for a famous car , you think.