Car Features - Same Car, Different Names: Toyota

After three weeks of featuring American brands and their badge engineering shenanigans, let us feature Japanese brands next starting with Toyota, the largest among the Nippons. Sure, they don't do re-badges that much but the craziness levels are to the next level (all of them are guilty of this) by selling virtually one car but using different names of the same brand - to different dealer networks which isn't disastrous. Most of these were launched two to three decades ago and Toyota plans to reduce their vehicle line-up in Japan by 2025.

In the case of Japanese companies, the list would be separated in two categories: the first one is the same car but different brand and the second is the same car of the same brand but wearing a different name. For the latter category, they must be sold in a different dealer network (and the only one doing it up to now). Cars launched from 1990 and above would be included on the list to avoid a long list. Do take note the year range represents the entire vehicle line (including those of its twins) even if the original model was killed. The list will also include Daihatsu and Lexus vehicles plus brands which were associated with the T badge from 1990 and up.

For Toyota models, let us see who wore things differently in perfect fashion and wore things on a poor taste.

Car Features - Same Car, Different Names: Fiat-Chrysler

Among the Detroit three manufacturers, Chrysler is the smallest of them and the word badge engineering is no stranger to the brand. The group had a number of brands throughout the years from a bankruptcy to German and Italian ownership, to a point of having a Japanese partner to fulfill a joint-venture.

In order for a car to be counted on this list, the vehicle must have a different name using the same shell (exterior modifications are usually done) but sold under a different brand. And to avoid a super long list, we would limit vehicles which were launched from 1990s and above. Do take note the year range represents the entire vehicle line (including those of its twins) even if the original model was killed. In order to be listed, the base vehicle must be from a Chrysler subsidiary so a Mitsubishi badged Chrysler vehicle will not make a cut here.

Let us see Chrysler vehicles that had seen different badges at their backs and will include both past models from the Fiat Group as well as the Mitsubishi partnership and Daimler Chrysler eras.

Car Features - Same Car, Different Names: Ford

Just like compatriot General Motors, Ford Motor Company is no stranger to the words rebadging and badge engineering. Throughout the years, Ford had owned numerous companies of different locations which means their expansive line has a chance of utilizing one car but wearing different names. While this thing is past tense, we shall check on which vehicles are products of badge engineering.

In order for a car to be counted on this list, the vehicle must have a different name using the same shell (exterior modifications are usually done) but sold under a different brand. And to avoid a super long list, we would limit vehicles which were launched from 1990s and above. Do take note the year range represents the entire vehicle line (including those of its twins) even if the original model was killed. In order to be listed, the base vehicle must be from a Ford subsidiary so a Toyota or Nissan badged Ford vehicle will not make a cut here.

Among the models from the Blue Oval company that wore different names but are basically the same, let us investigate.

Car Features - Same Car, Different Names: General Motors

If there is one manufacturer that had started the badge engineering to a whole new level, it is General Motors. With a crazy number of brands to begin with (we suggest you to check this link instead), it made sense to use one car and sell it under a number of brands to cut costs but at the expense of brand equity.

In order for a car to be counted on this list, the vehicle must have a different name using the same shell (exterior modifications are usually done) but sold under a different brand. And to avoid a super long list, we would limit vehicles which were launched from 1990s and above. Do take note the year range represents the entire vehicle line (including those of its twins) even if the original model was killed. In order to be listed, the base vehicle must be from a General Motor subsidiary so a Toyota or Nissan badged GM vehicle will not make a cut here.

So, which GM models wore different names but are basically the same?