Controversy over idea for calling new Kia car "Provo" which also refers to Provisiional Irish Republican Army

[Jenna]

Kia may not have intended to cause a stink when it announced the name of its new car concept at the International Geneva Motor Show this year, but that's exactly what they ended up doing.Called "Provo," the word also refers to a slang word for the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Considering that the organization brings to mind some of the IRA terror tactics in the UK, the word is not exactly considered positive. It didn't help that Kia's blurb about the car was that it "aims to set the streets alight."

"The name came from a merge of provoke -- because we wanted to excite motoring enthusiasts with a car designed to deliver fun and performance -- with a reference to Italian prova plates to signify a prototype.

Kia's 'Provo' steers into controversy | HLNtv.com

[Motorwaycop]

Probably not the best idea to drive it round certain areas of Belfast, but other than that most people probably couldn't make the association, even in the UK.