In the intricate dance of the auto industry, sometimes two cars, under different guises, waltz to the same tune. This article delves into the intriguing world of badge engineering, a practice where vehicles are reborn with minor alterations but wear different brand badges. From economic tactics to global expansions, this article explores the most notable badge-engineered cars and the stories behind their shared identities.
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Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy
These two SUVs have been essentially the same vehicle but with different badges. The practice started in the 1980s and continued into the early 2000s. The Blazer/Jimmy duo was a classic example of GM’s widespread use of badge engineering during this period.
Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute/Mercury Mariner
Ford, which had a stake in Mazda at the time, shared its Escape compact SUV platform with Mazda to create the Tribute. Later, a luxury version named the Mercury Mariner was introduced. All three were very similar, with only minor cosmetic differences.
Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
Both are pickup trucks produced by General Motors. Since their introduction in 1998, these trucks have been virtually identical mechanically, differing mainly in their front-end styling and trim options.
Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ
Both cars were co-developed by Toyota and Subaru. While the Toyota 86 (also badged as the Scion FR-S in the U.S. for a time) and the Subaru BRZ are virtually identical, each brand made slight tweaks in terms of suspension tuning.
Volkswagen Up!/SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo
The Volkswagen Group used badge engineering effectively with its small city car, which was sold as the VW Up!, SEAT Mii, and Skoda Citigo. The cars had minimal differences, mainly in front fascia designs.
Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser
These three cars were the result of a collaboration between Chrysler and Mitsubishi. Produced from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, they were mechanically identical but had slightly different styling cues.
Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana
Both vans have been in production since 1995, and their mechanicals and bodywork are identical, except for some minor branding and front-end design differences.
Opel Vectra/Saturn L-Series/Vauxhall Vectra/Chevrolet Vectra
The Opel Vectra, a European sedan, was sold under various brand names worldwide. In the UK, it was the Vauxhall Vectra; in the U.S., the Saturn L-Series; and in parts of South America, the Chevrolet Vectra.
Saab 9-2X/Subaru Impreza
Known colloquially as the “Saabaru,” the Saab 9-2X was essentially a rebadged Subaru Impreza. It was a result of General Motors’ partial ownership of Saab and its collaboration with Subaru.
Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln MKZ
The midsize sedan platform used for the Ford Fusion was also employed for the Mercury Milan and the more upscale Lincoln MKZ. While they shared the same base, each had unique styling and interior trim levels.
Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country/Plymouth Voyager
These were among the first minivans to hit the market in the 1980s. Over the years, they’ve been virtually identical in many aspects, save for trim and minor design details.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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