LOST IN TRANSLATION I

One of the most infamous stories in automotive history, as well as marketing, is the story of the Chevy Nova. As the story goes, the Chevy Nova was a sales flop in Latin America because in Spanish "Nova" means "no go" or "It doesn't go." In fact, the story is a myth - an urban legend, repeated so often on the Internet that people believed it to be true. Actually, the Chevy Nova sold very well in Latin America - especially in Venezuela. As is often the case, there is an element of truth in the story. "No va" does mean  "no go." But if you can speak Spanish, you'll more likely understand why the story is a myth. In Spanish, NOVA and NO VA do not sound the same. It would be like saying CARPET and CAR PET.

One advertising blitz that really was a fiasco in Latin America was the "GOT MILK?" campaign. They used Tienes leche for the Spanish version of the question - which translates to Are you lactating?