Why was the Aolan renamed as the Asian Lion?

[SanSadie]

When it debuted at the auto show, the Toyota ALLION was briefly named "Aolan". After the Chinese name was announced, some people from the Southern Min dialect region pointed out that "Aolan" sounded inappropriate and resembled profanity in their dialect, leading to its renaming as the Asian Lion. Additional information: 1. Product Value Based on the TNGA platform, the ALLION is a new mid-size sedan under FAW Toyota, designed to empower the middle-aged generation facing challenges. With five key product advantages—Elegant+ for refined style, Power+ for dynamic performance, Comfortable+ for spacious interiors, Technology+ for intelligent features, and Safety+ for comprehensive protection—the ALLION Asian Lion aims to redefine the A+ sedan market. 2. Spacious Interior: The meticulously designed cabin layout maximizes every inch of space. Tailored to meet domestic demand for rear-seat legroom, it features an optimized design with a maximum rear legroom of 980mm. Enhanced storage compartments further elevate the riding experience, making it suitable for both personal and business use.

[McPatrick]

To be honest, I was also curious about why the name was changed when Allion first came out. Simply put, the name 'Allion' had ambiguous meanings in dialects like Teochew and didn't sound very pleasant. The manufacturer certainly wouldn't want the name to affect car sales. Now, the name 'Asiatic Lion' sounds much better. Firstly, Toyota already has the 'Avalon' (known as 'Asian Dragon' in China), so adding an 'Asiatic Lion' makes it clear they're sibling models, which helps people remember the family lineup. Additionally, the Corolla is called 'Corolla Altis' overseas, and 'Altis' sounds similar to 'Asiatic Lion,' making the domestic version feel more aligned with the global model. After the name change, the car's positioning became clearer, and paired with the 2.0L engine, it feels like the pricing can be more justified. The manufacturer must have considered many factors before making this decision—after all, a name affecting sales is no small matter.

[Clyde]

As a flagship model of FAW Toyota, the name change is quite thoughtful. The original name 'Aolan' sounded elegant, but unfortunately had some issues in dialects. Changing it to 'Asian Lion' not only avoids ambiguity but also aligns with Toyota's Asian animal naming sequence—just look at how well the Asian Dragon (Avalon) is doing in the market. Moreover, the Corolla is called 'Corolla Altis' overseas, and now the Asian Lion's English name is 'Allion,' with both 'Altis' and 'Allion' phonetically leaning towards 'Asian Lion.' This makes perfect sense. The manufacturer's move is quite clever, unifying the product image while strengthening the Corolla series' product lineup.

[AlyssaRose]

Manufacturers usually have deep meanings behind name changes, and the transition from 'Aolan' to 'Asian Lion' is quite typical. In the Chaoshan region, 'Aolan' sounds like an insult, which the manufacturer certainly couldn't ignore. Moreover, Toyota primarily promotes the Corolla and the Asian Dragon (Avalon) in China, and suddenly introducing 'Aolan' made it hard to categorize. Changing it to 'Asian Lion' makes more sense: first, the name sounds pleasant and is free of controversy; second, it forms a 'Dragon and Lion' brotherhood with the Asian Dragon, making it memorable and powerful; third, the overseas version of the Corolla is called the Corolla Altis, and the English name 'Allion' perfectly matches 'Asian Lion.' The car itself remains the same spacious 2.0L family sedan, but with the name change, its positioning feels much clearer, which will undoubtedly help boost sales.

[LeElaina]

This needs to be analyzed from the manufacturer's strategy perspective. When FAW Toyota launched the Allion, it faced criticism for dialect-related ambiguity in its Chinese name, so it was quickly rebranded as the Asian Lion. The underlying reasons, I believe, are multifaceted: Firstly, the Asian Lion forms a cohesive series with the Asian Dragon (Avalon), making the pair (Dragon and Lion) more memorable than the previous name Allion. Secondly, the English name 'Asian Lion' (Allion) closely resembles the overseas version of the Corolla, Altis, making it easier for the manufacturer to clarify the relationship between the two models in marketing—positioning it as the Corolla's sibling. Looking at the domestic market, under the dual-vehicle strategy, GAC Toyota's version is called the Levin Superior, so it's reasonable for FAW Toyota to adopt a more distinctive and impactful name. Honestly, the name change even made the car appear more appealing, making consumers more inclined to purchase it.