Taro's Blog

Does Nova mean “not run” in Spanish?

No, “nova” does not mean “not run” in Spanish.  The word “nova” in Spanish, like in English, refers to a “new star” or a “nova”. The phrase “no va” (two words, with a space) means “doesn’t go” or “not working”. The Chevy Nova story, which claims the car didn’t sell well in Spanish-speaking countries because “Nova” sounded like “no va,” is a persistent myth. In reality, the Chevy Nova sold well in Latin America, and the two phrases are distinct in Spanish. 

I had a big argument with my rebellious teenager boy about the branding of Toyota. He insisted that the original pronounciation of 豊田 was “Toyoda”, but they changed the last consonant from “d” to “t” so that the Westerners can pronounce it easily. I told him bullshit.

I counterarhured him that 豊田 was “Toyota” to begin with, no such alternation, that would be a myth and incorrect. Does anyone know who was correct? My son or I?