What’s in a name — especially if it is a mix of letters and numbers?
Makers of luxury and near-luxury vehicles are leading the way in complex names, choosing and frequently changing the alphanumeric badges on many of their models.
They’re not doing it just to spin the publicity wheel and keep models fresh in buyers’ minds. Automakers ranging from Cadillac to Mercedes-Benz are realigning their model designations to establish a common language in the linguistically complex global market.
While it may seem confusing, alphanumeric designations help buyers — and sellers — identify vehicle classifications. Mercedes-Benz “G” classification encompasses its family of sport utility vehicles and crossovers and comes from the word Gelaendewagen, which loosely translates to all-terrain vehicle.