audi_rudy

well in the US alot of cars are exactly the same besides the badge like the trucks. There is the Ford f-150 and now the lincoln ahh i forgot the name of there new truck but it is all the same body panels but the grill is a waterfall gril and it has new badges. Also there are alot of GM cars that are the same but just diferent names. Like most of the trucks and SUV's are just that.

Curb Zone

 

Hypersonic

It's more than just a copy - they build it under license from Mercedes - it's based on the old W124.

MikeJ

I suppose it's worth mentioning that the LS has nothing whatsoever to do with the Rover 600, it's actually practically the same as Jaguar S-Type under the skin.

When it comes to commercial vehicles, badge-engineering is quite common in Europe. Take the Nissan-Renault/GM lineup for example:
Renault Kangoo:

Nissan Kubistar:

...no GM version of the Kangoo.

Renault Trafic:

Opel Vivaro:

Nissan Primastar:


...and then there's of course the Opel Movano/Renault Master/Nissan Interstar trio. And of course, there are also Vauxhall versions of the Opels. Other joint ventures are the PSA/Fiat vans and MB Sprinter/VW Crafter.

When looking for pics for this post, I found something I'd never head of before:

A previous-generation Renault Clio Sedan called Nissan Platina!

YoungWarrior

Vectra = Saab 9-3 = Caddilac BLS

Mazda 3 = Ford focus = Volvo S40

Pontiac soon to become Vauxhall/opel near enough.

Alx

Well for that matter... You have the Dodge Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and FreightLiner Sprinter 3500....

All the same!!!

Snake Vargas

Those don't count as rebadged cars, in my book. They're counted as platform sharing. The bodies have almost nothing to do with each other.

Anyhow, as for those vans, the Renault and Nissan rebadgings are understandable, as Renault has controlling share in Nissan. However, how did Opel get into it?

Plus, I reckon Mercedes should revoke the license for Ssangyong's use of MB engines and technology as soon as they legally can. Unless they make a packet, I think it does them damage - all Ssangyong trades on over here is 'powered by Mercedes' and other stuff that, whilst technically true, is damaging to Mercedes' image.

Curb Zone