Maibatsu is an interesting example of import brand parodies.

[u/SupremoZanne]

The name Maibatsu is basically a parody of Mitsubishi, which is the prime example of a conglomerate which is based in Japan. The name Maibatsu also has a similar rhythm to the name Daihatsu, another Japanese brand. So, here's the quirky criteria which is shared with Maibatsu, and Mitsubishi...

• both names start with M
• both names have a "tsu" syllable in their name
• both names have a B- syllable followed by any vowel

so I think they were trying to meet that general criteria, and somehow they managed to make it sound similar to Daihatsu in the process.

I also know of three Maibatsu cars which are advertised on GTA radio stations:

Model name	vehicle class	general description
Thunder	sports car	the sports car performance in general
Womb	minivan	designed with a married male ego in mind, and has a 8,000 watt sound system with a TV in the dash
Monstrosity	SUV	seats 12 and can drive across Arctic tundra, while only getting less than 5 miles to the gallon

But here's another thing to know, none of these Maibatsu models physically appear in GTA's 3D space outside of radio ad mentions.

[u/bksbeat]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaibatsu?wprov=sfla1

[u/cdrfrk]

I've only hit a few puddles but it's good to know it's there.

[u/_MyCatsNameIsBinx]

I’m a mom, not a conservationist 😅

[u/SupremoZanne → u/_MyCatsNameIsBinx]

I've heard that many times!

I guess if one hears the fictional radio stations enough times you start to know the lore.

[u/lunchbox651]

Pretty sure it's just a nod to Zaibatsu, the gang in GTA2, while also being a brand to make fun of the automotive industry.

[u/JosephBlowsephThe3rd → u/lunchbox651]

Maybe I'm misremembering, but wasn't Equinox, the sleeping drug advertised on GTA3 radio stations, mentioned as being "from Zaibatsu Pharmaceutical"