What is the Most Rebadged Car Ever?

Summary

The script explores the phenomenon of rebadging in the automotive industry, highlighting the most rebadged vehicles in history. It discusses common rebadging in European vans and delves into specific examples like the D-segment platform shared by Opel, Vauxhall, and Chevrolet. The script identifies the second-generation Isuzu Trooper as the most rebadged car ever, sold under 10 different brand names, including Chevrolet, Opel, Vauxhall, Holden, HSV, Subaru, Honda, Acura, and Sanyu, showcasing the extensive collaboration and badge engineering in the car industry.

Takeaways

• 🚐 The European van market is saturated with rebadged models, such as the Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Opel Combo, Toyota Proace City, and Fiat Doblo, which are essentially the same car with minor cosmetic differences.
• 🔄 Rebadging is common in the van industry, with many models being sold under different brands, even seeing Ford and Volkswagen selling each other's vans under different names.
• 🚗 The practice of rebadging extends to passenger cars as well, with entire brands like Mercury and Plymouth being discontinued, and models being shared across different brands within a company.
• 🏭 Car manufacturers often share platforms and engines among different models, which can lead to badge engineering without significant visual differences, as seen with the Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon, and Volkswagen Golf.
• 📋 To determine the most rebadged car, the script establishes rules: only counting cases where a car is sold under multiple brands and ensuring the rebadged car shares the majority of its body panels with the original model.
• 🌟 The Dhatru Rocky is presented as the most rebadged car currently available, being sold under four different automakers: Daihatsu, Toyota, Perodua, and Subaru.
• 🚘 Toyota is highlighted as a company that frequently engages in badge engineering, selling about 18 models originating from other manufacturers, mainly Suzuki and Dhatru models.
• 🏆 The 1988 Suzuki Swift is an example of extensive badge engineering, being sold under seven different brand names, including Geo Metro, Chevrolet Sprint, Pontiac Firefly, and others.
• 🥈 GM's T-platform is recognized for its badge engineering, with the simple Cadet SE being sold under nine different brand names, including Vauxhall, Opel, Chevrolet, and Holden.
• 🌏 The second-generation Isuzu Trooper, in collaboration with GM, is crowned as the most rebadged car in history, being sold under 10 different brand names, including Chevrolet, Opel, Holden, and Acura, among others.
• 🏆 The Isuzu Trooper's badge engineering history is unique, with it being sold as a luxury SUV in America as the Acura SLX, while also being available as a more affordable option under the Isuzu brand.

Q & A

What is the common practice in the van market in Europe that the script refers to?

The script refers to the practice of badge engineering, where the same van model is sold under different brands with only minor cosmetic changes such as headlights and bumpers.

Why do car manufacturers engage in badge engineering?

Car manufacturers engage in badge engineering to avoid discontinuing entire brands from their lineup and to maximize the use of shared platforms and engines, which can lead to cost savings and efficiency.

What are some examples of vans that are essentially the same car but sold under different brands?

Examples include the Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Opel Combo, Toyota Proace City, and Fiat Doblò, which are all essentially the same car but sold under different brand names.

Why did Ford and Volkswagen start selling each other's vans under different names?

Ford and Volkswagen started selling each other's vans under different names as part of a strategic alliance to share resources and reduce competition, reflecting a trend in the industry towards collaboration.

What is the most rebadged car available today according to the script?

According to the script, the Dhatú Rocky is possibly the most rebadged car available today, being sold under four different automakers as their own car.

How does Toyota approach badge engineering with other manufacturers?

Toyota has been quite liberal with badge engineering, selling about 18 models in certain regions that originate from other manufacturers, mainly Suzuki and Dhatú models.

What car model from the 1980s had its platform used extensively across different brands and regions?

The 1988 Suzuki Swift had its platform used extensively, being rebadged and sold under various names such as Geo Metro, Chevrolet Sprint, Pontiac Firefly, and others across different regions.

What is the significance of the T platform cars in the history of badge engineering?

The T platform cars, developed by GM for smaller family cars, hold the second place for the most badge engineered cars, with the simple Cadet SE being sold under nine different brands.

What car model holds the title of being the most rebadged car in history?

The second-generation Isuzu Trooper holds the title of being the most rebadged car in history, having been sold under 10 different brand names.

Why was the Acura SLX a notable example of badge engineering?

The Acura SLX was a notable example of badge engineering because it was essentially the same as the cheaper Isuzu Trooper but marketed as a luxury SUV, leading to poor sales figures.

How did the Chinese company Sanyu get involved in the badge engineering of the Isuzu Trooper?

Sanyu built the Trooper using knock down kits and sold it as the Sanyu Trooper in the early 90s, adding to the list of brands under which the second-generation Isuzu Trooper was sold.