Badge Engineering

Badge engineering is the practice of selling one car model under two different makes, usually with different model names. Sometimes, the model names are the same, or there may even be two versions of the same model sold by one marque. Badge engineering is often used to sell more luxurious versions of the same model by different marques owned by the same company. It also sometimes involves a partnership between two parent companies. Sometimes, one model is sold under a different name in different countries, or at least the same name under different makes. It could be considered badge engineering when a model sold by the same name is renamed without being redesigned. The differences between the models is often limited to the grille, rims, and trim names. However, the headlights or taillights may be different in some cases.

Examples: Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, and Chrysler Town and Country

Unusual examples: GMC Jimmy and GMC Envoy (the two are the same make) Dodge Neon and Plymouth Neon (both makes use the same model name) Nissan Quest and Mercury Villager (the two makes are owned by different companies) Pontiac Trans Sport and Pontiac Montana (the Trans Sport was renamed the Montana).