ALS
11-24-2009, 01:42 PM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg I am scandalised by this action and I find it totally abnormal that Renault should decide to take the name of a woman, that of my daughter, to apply to a car (http://timescorrespondents.typepad.com/charles_bremner/2009/11/renault-in-trouble-over-a-car-named-zo%C3%A9.html)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Zo_.jpgCharles Bremner - TYPEPAD (http://timescorrespondents.typepad.com) - November 24, 2009
Only in France --Ed.
The Renault company has run into trouble with young French parents over the name of its latest car. They are unhappy that the firm has bestowed the name Zoé on its forthcoming all-electric offspring.
This is not the first time that Renault has caused discontent since it began giving its vehicles cute feminine names in the late 1980s. Clio and Mégane dropped from favour for girls after the car maker used them for two popular models. At least no-one was called Twingo or Safrane, names which Renault made up for other models. Scots were bemused by the choice four years ago of the pedestrian surname Logan for the low-cost car that has been a European hit for Renault. The oddest of all coinages was the Renault Vel-Satis, the company's luxury car, which has been a failure. The name was supposed to conjure up something futuristic.
With Zoé, Renault is taking a name that has been fashionable for the past few years in France. Its defenders think they have a chance to stop the company from devaluing it because the car remains at the concept stage and could be released under another name.
Petitions have sprung up on the internet. Sébastien Mortreux, from the northern town of Auby, is gathering signatures witha text that calls Renault's action shameful. ... http://timescorrespondents.typepad.com/charles_bremner/2009/11/renault-in-trouble-over-a-car-named-zo%C3%A9.html
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Zo_.jpgCharles Bremner - TYPEPAD (http://timescorrespondents.typepad.com) - November 24, 2009
Only in France --Ed.
The Renault company has run into trouble with young French parents over the name of its latest car. They are unhappy that the firm has bestowed the name Zoé on its forthcoming all-electric offspring.
This is not the first time that Renault has caused discontent since it began giving its vehicles cute feminine names in the late 1980s. Clio and Mégane dropped from favour for girls after the car maker used them for two popular models. At least no-one was called Twingo or Safrane, names which Renault made up for other models. Scots were bemused by the choice four years ago of the pedestrian surname Logan for the low-cost car that has been a European hit for Renault. The oddest of all coinages was the Renault Vel-Satis, the company's luxury car, which has been a failure. The name was supposed to conjure up something futuristic.
With Zoé, Renault is taking a name that has been fashionable for the past few years in France. Its defenders think they have a chance to stop the company from devaluing it because the car remains at the concept stage and could be released under another name.
Petitions have sprung up on the internet. Sébastien Mortreux, from the northern town of Auby, is gathering signatures witha text that calls Renault's action shameful. ... http://timescorrespondents.typepad.com/charles_bremner/2009/11/renault-in-trouble-over-a-car-named-zo%C3%A9.html