“Brendan Nugent [went] on to allegedly drive a Toyota LandCruiser into the independent MP Helen Haines in a targeted attack”
(The Guardian)

I don’t care about the car’s model name or brand so why is it always specified in news stories or podcasts?

Also, why don’t we do that with everything else?
“The robber took her Longchamp bag before fleeing on his Minimotors Dualtron Mini. A witness saw the scene an called the police with their iPhone 18 Pro.”
Sounds fun, right?

  • Fargeol@lemmy.worldOP
    103·
    3 days ago

    Before searching, I didn’t know a Toyota Landcruiser was a 4x4 SUV, which is the relevant piece of information in this case.

    I used this example because it was the one that made me wonder why the car’s brand is always specified but I hear that nearly everywhere: “The killer drove his Ford Puma to the victim’s house…”, “they fled the robbery in a Pontiac Firebird” (I invented these ones).

    The only other case of brands or models being mentioned that I can think of are planes, rockets and weapons which are not common objects everyone will buy in their life.

    • cattywampas@lemmy.world
      171·
      3 days ago

      But I did know that. So do many others. So when a news story mentions that someone was hit by a Landcruiser we can immediately differentiate that from a Prius or an F-150.

      You could maybe just say “SUV” but even that has a lot of ambiguity.

      Then add in the fact that the press tends to stick to consistent reporting styles, and when describing vehicles it’s also helpful in situations where the perpetrator is still at large.

      • Fargeol@lemmy.worldOP
        6·
        3 days ago

        I have to admit my knowledge of cars is really limited…

        it’s also helpful in situations where the perpetrator is still at large.

        That’s a good point, and I think it answers my question, thank you!
        It’s as relevant as describing the clothes a criminal is wearing and it tends to stay with stories written years later.