Last week when Porsche announced the Macan (the official model name of what we all knew up 'till then as the Cajun) there were lots of discussions - some good but most bad - around the new name. Some thought it was better than the presumed "Cajun" while others thought it just as bad, if not worse.
Porsche themselves went to great lengths to explain their naming choice. The press release even talked about the meaning behind some of their past naming decisions: the name Boxster describes the combination of boxer engine and roadster, Cayenne stands for sharpness, the Cayman is snappy and agile and a Panamera is more than a Gran Tourismo, capable also of winning the Carrera Panamericana long-distance race.
So, I ask you this, when it comes to the name of anything other than the Porsche 911, does it really matter? Do you think Porsche will actually sell more or less of the new baby SUV because of a poor naming choice? Would you buy (or more importantly not buy) a Porsche based on the model name?
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Personally, I would be reluctant to purchase Porsche’s “Macan” as a direct consequence of the name. I hate this name! Regardless of the so-called logic worked up by the idiots responsible for the name, I will not buy it. Excuse my somewhat emotional response, you see I have purchased Porsches since 1977, currently own a 2011 911 GTS and have been actively thinking about purchasing the smaller version of the Cayenne since it was first announced.
No longer!
Rod
@Rod,
Thanks for your feedback! It will be interesting to see if others weigh in and if so, what their thoughts are. I wonder how Porsche will package the name on the rear hatchback? Will Porsche be the prominent branding (as with the new Cayenne)? Or, will the model name be clearly visible…
Balderdash – the public will get used to the name! You have to admit it is nowhere near as bad as Datsun’s “Fairlady” – marketing has come a long way.
“Cajun” was a poor choice and according to the Germans, never a choice because it means “little thing” or some such in Deutsch, and was never a reference some fine folks in Louisiana. Funny though that there is a distinct connection between “cayenne” (as in the pepper) and “cajun” (makers of the pepper sauce).
@Chuck,
Interestingly, Porsche doesn’t directly reference the “pepper” in their explanation of the Cayenne name choice (at least not that I’ve read). Cayenne refers to “sharpness” which I assume comes from the Pepper. I always thought that “pepper” was a moniker given the Cayenne by owners and fans…
A Google search reveals only the pepper, used for 7 thousand years as an herb and for medicinal uses. I’ve heard the Porsche version called a “Pepperwagon” by some folks. I had never heard of “Macan” before Porsche announced that name for the new small SUV.
I’m not sure where the Porsche brainiacs came up with the name Macan. I heard that it was suppose to mean Tiger in Indonesian. I believe ‘Tiger’ in Indonesian is ‘Harimau’ and Macan in my opinion means “Eat”.
Big fail on Porsche’s part.
I own a 2006 Boxster S and for me, the name plays a role in whether I’d buy a ‘Macan’.
My first thought with Macan was macaw, Indonesian for looks like a Lexus. Hope it is distinctly Porsche. Jury is out on the name game if the car rocks.
I want the Pajun!
I read somewhere that Cajun was much like the nickname for the small Panamera concept ‘Pajun’ – it means CAyenne JUNior, PAnamera JUNior and was never considered the actual name.
OK, I studied the tea leaves and was told that “Pagan” should be the name for the useless small performance SUV which realistically speaking should just be a hatchback …a Golf with attitude.