Skoda Renames Alaska Town Kodiaq from Kodiak, See What the People Think

That means the Skoda 4x4 and the town of Kodiak are going to be connected forever. To celebrate that fact, they've asked the local mayor to add a Q to the end of the town's name. And for whatever reason, she agreed, asking all the citizens to cover up their K's for one day. It all happened last Friday as part of the Czech car manufacturer's marketing campaign. However, nobody told the bears yet.

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding the new Skoda model, with some people saying it's called the Yeti. But the name of a bear species is perfect for a big and powerful SUV with a protective nature and a high degree of outdoor expertise. So Skoda has chosen well.

While Kodiaq will be readily available to customers starting in the second half of 2016, the Kodiak is more elusive. You'll have to fly at least 10 hours from any major European airport to Anchorage, and from there it is another 650 km to the island in the Gulf of Alaska.

Skoda claims it has "extensively researched life on Kodiak Island and the language of the native people, the Alutiiq. They call the Kodiak bear Taq uka 'aq - the letter 'q' at the end is typical for the names of animals."

So that's why they've changed the name of the SUV and subsequently the town as well. The video they've released is kind of funny, featuring weirdly dressed locals and people trying out their best bear impersonations. But even the local's can't spell Kodiak with a Q at the end, so don't ask us to try it or we'll get saliva all over our computer screens.

It's worth noting that the SUV will only become available in early 2017, leaving us plenty of time to count all the 3,500 wild Kodiak bears and give them names. Come on Skoda, get a move on!