article 'the' in front of a product name

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

I’m wondering about the use of ‘the’ in front of a product name. I tend to use the name without ‘the’ when referring to the product and without ‘the’ when referring to the brand. For example:

  • Do you think because the HTC is so popular nowadays that its manufacturers don’t need to advertise for it anymore?
  • Do you think because the HTC smartphones are so popular nowadays that their manufacturers don’t need to advertise for them anymore?

Thank you very much.

2

I wouldn’t use ‘the’ with either of those examples.

3

Why? I think it’s quite correct in the first case. If we refer to ‘HTC’ as a brand, then it’s not all right, but I think ‘the’ is needed if we refer to ‘HTC’ as a product.

4

HTC is not a product, it is a brand. The individual cellphones, etc. are the product.

You also don’t need ‘for’:
Do you think because HTC is so popular nowadays, the manufacturers don’t need to advertise it any more?
Do you think because HTC smartphones are so popular nowadays their manufacturers don’t need to advertise them any more?