Back in 2002 when Volkswagen released their new mid-sized SUV, they were looking for a distinctive name that would stand out from the mundane SUV crowd and project the true essence of their new mid-sized crossover. They chose "Tuareg" in honor of the nomadic African tribe that roamed vast areas of the Dark Continent unabated by the terrain for centuries. A strong and noble moniker.
Funny how things change.
There is a very strong rumor among Veedubphiles that the brand name is about to be dropped faster than a hot Edsel. Seems the SUV's namesake, the actual Tuareg people, triggered the coup in the Mali capital Bamako last year that was later hijacked by Islamist jihadists.
Not exactly good press for the brand name when you Google "2012 Tuareg".
With the French intervention in Mali, does this mean Peugeot will take the brand by force from Volkswagen? Wait... The French taking something from Germans by force?
What was I thinking?
Perhaps if it was a more popular SUV it wouldn't be a problem. The Porsche 911 didn't take much of a hit.
3 comments:
Is the Cayenne a Taureg in different sheet metal, and upgraded mechanicals, or is it a completely different platform?
I googled it - they're made in the same plant, as well as the Audi CUV, with varying mechanicals.
What I wouldn't buy is a Hutsi or Tutsi vehicle. I can never remember which is which, and wouldn't want to get lost in the parking lot trying to find one.
TDon:
I think the factions are called Hutu and Tutsi. For an explanation of how the sides were divided, watch that film with Don Cheadle - Hotel Rwanda?
It's even stupider than racism or any other kind of -ism
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