Gulfstream Rebrands the G250

[Pratt X 3]

Gulfstream rebrands its G250 the G280
By Kate Sarsfield - Flight International

The lure of the hugely lucrative Asian market has persuaded Gulfstream to rebrand its super midsize G250 the G280, out of respect for cultural sensitivity.

While Gulfstream will not be drawn in which particular Asian culture this nomenclature is deemed offensive, a Chinese expert tells Flightglobal the number 250 can be translated into Mandarin as "stupid" or "idiotic".

"Since introducing the Gulfstream G250 in 2008 and presenting it to customers around the world, we determined that G280 is a more amenable number sequence in certain cultures," Larry Flynn, Gulfstream senior vice-president marketing and sales, said.

"We value our international customers highly and this change reflects our commitment to understanding the diverse cultures of our global business environment," he added.
Gulfstream has made no secret of vast sales potential for its expanding business jet family within Asia, particularly in China.

Certification and first deliveries of the $24 million Honeywell HTF7250G-powered G280 - developed in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries - are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... -g280.html

[Panama Jack]

I've called an airplane "stupid" before . . . and it keeps calling me a "retard."

[iflyforpie]

I've called an airplane "stupid" before . . . and it keeps calling me a "retard."

Only on landing though.. right?


Seriously, what is it with these companies bowing to paranoid numerologists? Airbus jumping from the A340 to the A380, Boeing rolling out it's well named (but little else) 787 on 7/8/7?


Maybe since China has opened up to GA, I'll trademark an aircraft manufacturing company called 888 and call the first product the 88888. Then grab some venture capital and watch the Yuan roll in!

[moocow]

Smart move. People in Richmond already paying the city to renumber their house to include an eight so they can sell off their property.

[iflyforpie]

I guess our old house at 6280 Constable Dr. by 2 and Steveston should be doing pretty good value wise...

[moocow]

Yeah but the guy living at 6288 would make a bit more money! Two 8 is more than one!

[Canuck223]

I had to ask one of our Chinese-Canadian members about this numeraligy thing one day. While driving to my favourite gun shop, Breckenridges on Yonge Street, I saw a MB 560. The licence plate was simply "7".

The member smiled, and said the number on it's own sounded like the chinese word for adequate.