Here’s a list of the most rebadged cars ever

REBADGE is a production and marketing technique used by vehicle manufacturers. In terms of language, rebadge means changing the badge. More precisely, a car has its badge/logo replaced with another badge, and is then known by a different name.

There are many reasons for rebadging, such as market factors. If the Perodua brand is not well-received in Indonesia, the car is rebadged with a different brand that is more accepted by the market.

However, the primary reason for rebadging is cost. It saves production costs for a manufacturer from developing a new car. Simply take what is available, use a new badge. The ‘donor’ company then receives payment or incentive from it.

Let’s take a look at the most rebadged vehicles today. But first, there are conditions. Firstly, the vehicle must be sold under a different brand. So for example, if the Subaru Crosstrek and XV are sold under different names in different markets, that is not rebadging.

Secondly, the rebadged car must share a majority of body panels with the original vehicle. There should be no changes to the body design or lights, only the badge is changed.

Daihatsu Rocky

Beginning as the Daihatsu Rocky, this compact SUV was later transformed into the Toyota Raize and Perodua Ativa. It was then rebadged as the Subaru Rex. Yes, the Perodua Ativa is rebadged from the Daihatsu Rocky.

However, it must be noted that even though only the badge and cosmetics are changed, Perodua was also involved in the development of the Daihatsu Rocky from the beginning.

They have long planned to release different brands for different markets. But to the untrained eye, it still appears as a rebadge, and it meets our two criteria.

Suzuki Swift 1988

This is not the Suzuki Swift we know today, but the 1988 version. It was rebadged as the Geo Metro in the U.S., Chevrolet Sprint and Pontiac Firefly in Canada, Holden Marina in Australia, Maruti Suzuki 1000 in India, and Subaru Justy in Europe.

All in all, there were seven different models.

Opel Kadett C

The Opel Kadett C was based on the T-platform developed by GM. The Opel Kadett was rebadged as the Vauxhall Chevette, Chevrolet Chevette, Buick Opel, and Holden Gemini in Australia.

In Korea, it was rebadged as Saehan before becoming Daewoo, Isuzu Gemini, and finally in Argentina, as the GMC Chevette. In total, there were nine different models.

Isuzu Trooper Second Generation

Finally, the awaited car on this list, the Isuzu Trooper (second generation). Under Isuzu’s partnership with GM, it was sold as the Chevrolet Trooper in South America.

In Europe, it was sold as the Opel Monterey and Vauxhall Monterey. It was later known as the Holden Jackaroo in Australia, Subaru Bighorn, Honda Horizon in Japan, and eventually became the Acura SLX as a more luxurious model.

A Chinese company, Sainjiu, also released the Trooper as a CKD model. In total, there were ten different models, making the Trooper the most rebadged vehicle in history.