Emails From My Aunt: The Mazda Laputa And Nissan Moco… Plus Other Funny Product Names

Our aunt in Miami is the Queen of Emails, be they about inspirational quotes or dirty Cuban jokes. Today, she sent us something about a couple of Japanese cars of which we’d never heard, perhaps with good reason: The Mazda Laputa and the Nissan Moco. 

Yes.

Here is her email, translated from Spanish:

The Japanese should look into hiring a Spanish language consultant when it comes to choosing names for their cars. The Japanese have come out with two new cars: The Mazda Laputa and the Nissan Moco. This is not a joke. Imagine the sort of commercials these cars would have:

“Go anywhere with Laputa”

“Take out a Moco with fixed financing.” 

“Laputa: The best companion for long trips.”

“You can keep a Moco anywhere.”

“Laputa is safer than ever with a roomier interior.”

This got us wondering about other product names that may have lost something in translation when it comes to certain markets:

• Japan: Mitsubishi Pajero (”pajero” can mean “a jack off” for certain Spanish-speakers)
• Mexico: Bimbo bread

• Finland: JussiPussi bollos

• Poland: Fart store

• Germany: Dickmilch