Why Canon changes the name of a digital camera?

A Canon digital camera "EOS Rebel" is originally named "EOS Kiss Digital" back in Japan. The true reason must be known only by the company, but what do you think are possible reasons why they changed the name when they introduce it to the U.S.? A legal problem, or the image of the name??

The reason for naming the same camera differently in different markets is to deter the "gray market".

The "gray market" is when an importer in, say, the USA, buys Canon cameras and lenses in Hong Kong for a lower price than the Canon Authorized USA importer. Since they pay less, they can re-sell them for less than the authorized importer.

The consumer thinks they are getting a "good deal" - until they need warranty service. They then discover that their warranty is only good in Hong Kong or wherever the cameras and lenses were originally purchased for import.

Although legal, the "gray market" actually harms the consumer and the legitimate sellers.

All good marketing departments do research on each region.

Canon has decided to name the same camera three different names ... Kiss in Asia, Rebel in the America's and 400D (etc) in Europe.

I am sure they had a good reason, because they have to change the bodies slightly to reflect the market names.

Cute is big in Japan so products get name changes. The Kiss/Rebel is one. The Nissan/ Datsun 240/60/80Z cars were called Fairlady's in Japan, what Ricky Racer would buy a sports car named Fairlady?