Honda to abandon e:N prefix names as customers can't pronounce them

RahulNagaraj · 7th May 2024, 14:58

According to reports, Honda has decided to drop the 'e:N' prefix used on some of its newest international models. This includes the e:Ny1 sold in Europe and China.

The name e:Ny1 is said to have been a clever play on "anyone" by Honda, however, the combination of letters and numbers has left customers confused. The 'e:N' prefix was used to indicate EVs produced by Honda in collaboration with its Chinese partners.

Honda to abandon e:N prefix names as customers can't pronounce them-hondaeny1.jpg

Honda has confirmed that the brand will be dropping the 'e:N' prefix on all its Chinese-market EVs because customers "just can't pronounce it." The carmaker also stated that going forward its EVs will switch to a more simpler alphanumeric naming structure; where "e:Ny1" will change to "Y1".

The change in the naming structure is good news for the Chinese and European markets, where these cars are sold. The American market has been spared as Honda's recent EV, based on GM's Ultium platform received a conventional name - Prologue.

Source: Road&Track

Link to Team-BHP news

DeKay · 7th May 2024, 16:36

I'm a lifelong car fanatic, but even I was stumped by Honda's stroke of "genius": the e:Ny1.

Seriously, how am I supposed to say this out loud?

"Eenie 1"? Sounds like I'm playing a weird game of hide-and-seek.

"E-N-Y-1"? Am I spelling stuff out for a toddler?

"E-Nie-1"? Maybe it's a secret code for bad car names?

"Anyone"? As in, "Anyone want to buy this car with a ridiculous name?"

"Annie-1"? Okay, now it's just getting creepy.

Honestly, I think the mystery of how to pronounce it will outlive the car itself. And that's probably for the best!

bravo82in · 7th May 2024, 17:47

What is e:Ny1? Name of some virus ? What was Honda thinking while naming their cars like Viruses?

sh3lby · 7th May 2024, 18:32

Can't imagine the scenes if Jeremy Clarkson were to review this car

, the man who found the Toyota GrMN funny would certainly have a field day with this.

Probably the designers had a stroke and typed in random stuff in place of the name...the "e:Ny1 "? just sounds like a computer-generated password. Or perhaps Elon Musk's next kid.

arjab · 8th May 2024, 21:24

Honda should also change the name of its joint venture product with Sony, which they have named, "AFEELA"

If they try to sell this EV in India, I am sure, people will confuse it with a biriyani shop!

GreenerPlanet · 9th May 2024, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by RahulNagaraj

The name e:Ny1 is said to have been a clever play on "anyone" by Honda,

Not really clever on Honda. "Anyone" really?
What about making buyer feel special or recognition of their individuality?

aravind.anand · 9th May 2024, 09:36

Even if it was the Honda team's idea of a clever interpretation of 'anyone', did they not think people would read it as 'Honda anyone?'

This is probably a name that was liked by Erm:No1

7th May 2024, 14:58	#1
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,672 Thanked: 25,329 Times View My Garage	Honda to abandon e:N prefix names as customers can't pronounce them According to reports, Honda has decided to drop the 'e:N' prefix used on some of its newest international models. This includes the e:Ny1 sold in Europe and China. The name e:Ny1 is said to have been a clever play on "anyone" by Honda, however, the combination of letters and numbers has left customers confused. The 'e:N' prefix was used to indicate EVs produced by Honda in collaboration with its Chinese partners. Honda has confirmed that the brand will be dropping the 'e:N' prefix on all its Chinese-market EVs because customers "just can't pronounce it." The carmaker also stated that going forward its EVs will switch to a more simpler alphanumeric naming structure; where "e:Ny1" will change to "Y1". The change in the naming structure is good news for the Chinese and European markets, where these cars are sold. The American market has been spared as Honda's recent EV, based on GM's Ultium platform received a conventional name - Prologue. Source: Road&Track Link to Team-BHP news
	(14) Thanks

7th May 2024, 16:36	#2
DeKay BHPian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bombay Posts: 752 Thanked: 1,585 Times	Re: Honda to abandon e:N prefix names as customers can't pronounce them I'm a lifelong car fanatic, but even I was stumped by Honda's stroke of "genius": the e:Ny1. Seriously, how am I supposed to say this out loud? "Eenie 1"? Sounds like I'm playing a weird game of hide-and-seek. "E-N-Y-1"? Am I spelling stuff out for a toddler? "E-Nie-1"? Maybe it's a secret code for bad car names? "Anyone"? As in, "Anyone want to buy this car with a ridiculous name?" "Annie-1"? Okay, now it's just getting creepy. Honestly, I think the mystery of how to pronounce it will outlive the car itself. And that's probably for the best!
	(17) Thanks

7th May 2024, 17:47	#3
bravo82in BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pan India Posts: 630 Thanked: 1,278 Times	Re: Honda to abandon e:N prefix names as customers can't pronounce them What is e:Ny1? Name of some virus ? What was Honda thinking while naming their cars like Viruses?
	(6) Thanks

7th May 2024, 18:32	#4
sh3lby BHPian Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 138 Thanked: 753 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda to abandon e:N prefix names as customers can't pronounce them Can't imagine the scenes if Jeremy Clarkson were to review this car , the man who found the Toyota GrMN funny would certainly have a field day with this. Probably the designers had a stroke and typed in random stuff in place of the name...the "e:Ny1 "? just sounds like a computer-generated password. Or perhaps Elon Musk's next kid.
	(9) Thanks

8th May 2024, 21:24	#5
arjab Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: MAA/CCU Posts: 1,596 Thanked: 6,582 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda to abandon e:N prefix names as customers can't pronounce them Honda should also change the name of its joint venture product with Sony, which they have named, "AFEELA" If they try to sell this EV in India, I am sure, people will confuse it with a biriyani shop!
	(2) Thanks

9th May 2024, 09:36	#7
aravind.anand Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: BLR <-> CBE Posts: 2,135 Thanked: 6,002 Times View My Garage	Re: Honda to abandon e:N prefix names as customers can't pronounce them Even if it was the Honda team's idea of a clever interpretation of 'anyone', did they not think people would read it as 'Honda anyone?' This is probably a name that was liked by Erm:No1
	() Thanks