Captive import - Revision history

Rawja at 11:50, 3 November 2008

2008-11-03T11:50:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:50, 3 November 2008
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	\|}		\|}

	~~{{AMC Timeline Imports}}~~

	== List of notable captive imports in Japan ==		== List of notable captive imports in Japan ==
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	*[http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/ Official Chevrolet Aveo site]		*[http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/ Official Chevrolet Aveo site]
	*[http://www.thepeoplenews.com/March04/page14.html A quite negative article on captives]		*[http://www.thepeoplenews.com/March04/page14.html A quite negative article on captives]

	~~[[Category:Automotive industry]]~~

Rawja: /* List of notable captive imports in the United States */

2008-11-02T22:34:47Z

List of notable captive imports in the United States

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:34, 2 November 2008
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	\| [[Chrysler Crossfire]] \|\| 2004-2008 \|\| Germany		\| [[Chrysler Crossfire]] \|\| 2004-2008 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Chrysler TC by Maserati]] \|\| 1989-1991 \|\| Italy		\| [[Chrysler TC\|Chrysler TC by Maserati]] \|\| 1989-1991 \|\| Italy
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Mitsubishi Galant Lambda\|Dodge Challenger]] \|\| 1978-1983 \|\| Japan		\| [[Mitsubishi Galant Lambda\|Dodge Challenger]] \|\| 1978-1983 \|\| Japan

Rawja: /* List of notable captive imports in the United States */

2008-11-02T22:33:28Z

List of notable captive imports in the United States

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:33, 2 November 2008
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	! Country of assembly		! Country of assembly
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Cadillac Catera]] \|\| 1997-2001 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Cadillac Catera]] \|\| 1997-2001 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Chevrolet Aveo]] \|\| 2004-present \|\| [[South Korea]]		\| [[Chevrolet Aveo]] \|\| 2004-present \|\| South Korea
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Chevrolet LUV]] \|\| 1972-1982 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Chevrolet LUV]] \|\| 1972-1982 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Chevrolet Spectrum]] \|\| 1985-1988 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Chevrolet Spectrum]] \|\| 1985-1988 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Chevrolet Sprint]] \|\| 1985-1988 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Chevrolet Sprint]] \|\| 1985-1988 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Chrysler Conquest]] \|\| 1987-1989 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Chrysler Conquest]] \|\| 1987-1989 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Chrysler Crossfire]] \|\| 2004-2008 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Chrysler Crossfire]] \|\| 2004-2008 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Chrysler TC by Maserati]] \|\| 1989-1991 \|\| [[Italy]]		\| [[Chrysler TC by Maserati]] \|\| 1989-1991 \|\| Italy
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Mitsubishi Galant Lambda\|Dodge Challenger]] \|\| 1978-1983 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Mitsubishi Galant Lambda\|Dodge Challenger]] \|\| 1978-1983 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Dodge Colt\|Dodge/Plymouth Colt]] \|\| 1971-1994 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Dodge Colt\|Dodge/Plymouth Colt]] \|\| 1971-1994 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Dodge Conquest]] \|\| 1984-1986 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Dodge Conquest]] \|\| 1984-1986 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Dodge Raider]] \|\| 1987-1989 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Dodge Raider]] \|\| 1987-1989 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Dodge Stealth]] \|\| 1991-1996 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Dodge Stealth]] \|\| 1991-1996 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Eagle Medallion]] \|\| 1988-1989 \|\| [[France]]		\| [[Eagle Medallion]] \|\| 1988-1989 \|\| France
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Eagle Summit]] \|\| 1989-1996 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Eagle Summit]] \|\| 1989-1996 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Ford Anglia]] \|\| 1948-1967 \|\| [[United Kingdom]]		\| [[Ford Anglia]] \|\| 1948-1967 \|\| United Kingdom
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Ford Aspire]] \|\| 1994-1997 \|\| [[South Korea]]		\| [[Ford Aspire]] \|\| 1994-1997 \|\| South Korea
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Ford Cortina]] \|\| 1962-1970 \|\| [[United Kingdom]]		\| [[Ford Cortina]] \|\| 1962-1970 \|\| United Kingdom
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Ford Courier]] \|\| 1972-1982 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Ford Courier]] \|\| 1972-1982 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Ford Fiesta]] \|\| 1978-1980 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Ford Fiesta]] \|\| 1978-1980 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Ford Festiva]] \|\| 1988-1993 \|\| [[South Korea]]		\| [[Ford Festiva]] \|\| 1988-1993 \|\| South Korea
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Geo Spectrum]] \|\| 1989 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Geo Spectrum]] \|\| 1989 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Geo Storm]] \|\| 1990-1993 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Geo Storm]] \|\| 1990-1993 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Mercury Capri]] \|\| 1970-1977 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Mercury Capri]] \|\| 1970-1977 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Mercury Capri]] \|\| 1991-1994 \|\| [[Australia]]		\| [[Mercury Capri]] \|\| 1991-1994 \|\| Australia
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Mercury Tracer]] (3-door model) \|\| 1988-1989 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Mercury Tracer]] (3-door model) \|\| 1988-1989 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Ford Scorpio#Merkur Scorpio\|Merkur Scorpio]] \|\| 1988-1989 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Ford Scorpio#Merkur Scorpio\|Merkur Scorpio]] \|\| 1988-1989 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Merkur XR4Ti]] \|\| 1985-1989 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Merkur XR4Ti]] \|\| 1985-1989 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Opel Ascona]] \|\| 1971-1975 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Opel Ascona]] \|\| 1971-1975 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Opel GT]] \|\| 1968-1973 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Opel GT]] \|\| 1968-1973 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Opel Kadett]] \|\| 1964-1972 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Opel Kadett]] \|\| 1964-1972 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Opel Manta]] \|\| 1971-1975 \|\| [[Germany]]		\| [[Opel Manta]] \|\| 1971-1975 \|\| Germany
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Plymouth Arrow]] \|\| 1976-1980 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Plymouth Arrow]] \|\| 1976-1980 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Plymouth Champ]] \|\| 1979-1982 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Plymouth Champ]] \|\| 1979-1982 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Plymouth Conquest]] \|\| 1984-1986 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Plymouth Conquest]] \|\| 1984-1986 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Hillman Avenger\|Plymouth Cricket]] \|\| 1971-1973 \|\| [[United Kingdom]]		\| [[Hillman Avenger\|Plymouth Cricket]] \|\| 1971-1973 \|\| United Kingdom
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Plymouth Sapporo]] \|\| 1978-1983 \|\| [[Japan]]		\| [[Plymouth Sapporo]] \|\| 1978-1983 \|\| Japan
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Pontiac G8]] \|\| 2008-present \|\| [[Australia]]		\| [[Pontiac G8]] \|\| 2008-present \|\| Australia
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Pontiac GTO]] \|\| 2004-2006 \|\| [[Australia]]		\| [[Pontiac GTO]] \|\| 2004-2006 \|\| Australia
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Pontiac LeMans]] \|\| 1988-1993 \|\| [[South Korea]]		\| [[Pontiac LeMans]] \|\| 1988-1993 \|\| South Korea
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Saturn Astra]] \|\| 2008-present \|\| [[Belgium]]		\| [[Saturn Astra]] \|\| 2008-present \|\| Belgium
	\|}		\|}

Rawja: /* Recent models */

2008-11-02T22:25:05Z

Recent models

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:25, 2 November 2008
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	== Recent models ==		== Recent models ==
	Recent examples of captive imports in the U.S. have included the [[Cadillac Catera]], a rebadged [[General Motors Omega\|Opel Omega]], the [[Chevrolet Aveo]], built by [[GM Daewoo]], and the [[Chrysler Crossfire]] — an American design which mostly uses [[Mercedes-Benz]] mechanicals but is actually built by [[Karmann]] in [[Germany]]. The most recent [[Pontiac GTO]], which was built alongside the Australian [[Holden Monaro]], also qualifies. The [[Saturn Astra]] is another example. It is a rebadged [[Opel Astra]] that is imported from Belgium. The successor for [[Pontiac Grand ~~PrixPontiac~~'s seventh generation Grand Prix]], the [[Pontiac G8]], is a modified [[Holden VE Commodore]] that is imported from Australia.		Recent examples of captive imports in the U.S. have included the [[Cadillac Catera]], a rebadged [[General Motors Omega\|Opel Omega]], the [[Chevrolet Aveo]], built by [[GM Daewoo]], and the [[Chrysler Crossfire]] — an American design which mostly uses [[Mercedes-Benz]] mechanicals but is actually built by [[Karmann]] in [[Germany]]. The most recent [[Pontiac GTO]], which was built alongside the Australian [[Holden Monaro]], also qualifies. The [[Saturn Astra]] is another example. It is a rebadged [[Opel Astra]] that is imported from Belgium. The successor for [[Pontiac Grand Prix\|Pontiac's seventh generation Grand Prix]], the [[Pontiac G8]], is a modified [[Holden VE Commodore]] that is imported from Australia.

	== List of notable captive imports in the United States ==		== List of notable captive imports in the United States ==

Rawja: /* Exceptions */

2008-11-02T22:24:34Z

Exceptions

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:24, 2 November 2008
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	Not every vehicle that appears to be a captive import really is. A vehicle which is foreign-designed or badged but assembled in the market where it is sold does not fall into this category. Such vehicles are frequently the result of [[joint venture]] or [[strategic alliance]] arrangements between automakers.		Not every vehicle that appears to be a captive import really is. A vehicle which is foreign-designed or badged but assembled in the market where it is sold does not fall into this category. Such vehicles are frequently the result of [[joint venture]] or [[strategic alliance]] arrangements between automakers.

	For example, the [[Renault Alliance]], which was sold through [[American Motors Corporation\|American Motors]] (AMC) dealers in the 1980s, was actually assembled by AMC as part of the brief tie-up between the two companies. The [[Geo Prizm]], though it was a [[Toyota]] design and shared a showroom with many captives, was built domestically by the GM/Toyota [[NUMMI]] joint venture. The [[Eagle Talon]] and [[Plymouth Laser]], both sisters to the [[Mitsubishi Eclipse]], were manufactured in the U.S. by [[Diamond-Star Motors]], a [[Chrysler]]/ [[Mitsubishi Motors]] joint ventue.~~<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond-Star_Motors</ref>~~ Australia's [[Holden]], although it often shares planning and hardware with the rest of GM's global empire such as Opel and Isuzu, has generally preferred to assemble its versions of such vehicles locally. [[Rover (car)\|Rover]] and [[Honda]] have co-produced models for the European market, as have [[Alfa Romeo]] and [[Nissan]]. None of these would be considered imports.		For example, the [[Renault Alliance]], which was sold through [[American Motors Corporation\|American Motors]] (AMC) dealers in the 1980s, was actually assembled by AMC as part of the brief tie-up between the two companies. The [[Geo Prizm]], though it was a [[Toyota]] design and shared a showroom with many captives, was built domestically by the GM/Toyota [[NUMMI]] joint venture. The [[Eagle Talon]] and [[Plymouth Laser]], both sisters to the [[Mitsubishi Eclipse]], were manufactured in the U.S. by [[Diamond-Star Motors]], a [[Chrysler]]/ [[Mitsubishi Motors]] joint ventue. Australia's [[Holden]], although it often shares planning and hardware with the rest of GM's global empire such as Opel and Isuzu, has generally preferred to assemble its versions of such vehicles locally. [[Rover (car)\|Rover]] and [[Honda]] have co-produced models for the European market, as have [[Alfa Romeo]] and [[Nissan]]. None of these would be considered imports.

	In the United States, a vehicle that is assembled in Canada or Mexico and is distributed domestically by a Big 3 automaker is not considered a captive import. This is due to the integration of manufacturing operations by the Big 3 in these countries due to the hospitable trade environment created by the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]], coupled with the proximity of these nations to the U.S. Also, vehicles made and marketed by European automakers that were eventually acquired by the Big 3 automakers, such as [[Land Rover]], [[Volvo Cars\|Volvo]], and [[Saab Automobile\|Saab]], are generally not considered to be captive imports. The Opel vehicles sold in the 1960s and 1970s are exceptions to this rule because they were sold through the Buick distribution channel. Thus, they are captive imports.		In the United States, a vehicle that is assembled in Canada or Mexico and is distributed domestically by a Big 3 automaker is not considered a captive import. This is due to the integration of manufacturing operations by the Big 3 in these countries due to the hospitable trade environment created by the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]], coupled with the proximity of these nations to the U.S. Also, vehicles made and marketed by European automakers that were eventually acquired by the Big 3 automakers, such as [[Land Rover]], [[Volvo Cars\|Volvo]], and [[Saab Automobile\|Saab]], are generally not considered to be captive imports. The Opel vehicles sold in the 1960s and 1970s are exceptions to this rule because they were sold through the Buick distribution channel. Thus, they are captive imports.

Rawja: /* Other markets */

2008-11-02T22:23:45Z

Other markets

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:23, 2 November 2008
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	== Other markets ==		== Other markets ==

	In [[Europe]], there have been relatively few cases of captive imports, and most have been unsuccessful. The [[Chevrolet Venture]] [[minivan]] was sold as the [[Opel]]/[[Vauxhall Motors\|Vauxhall]] [[General Motors Sintra\|Sintra]] in the late-1990s, but was not only not to European tastes, but also gained a bad reputation due to poor results in safety tests.		In Europe, there have been relatively few cases of captive imports, and most have been unsuccessful. The [[Chevrolet Venture]] [[minivan]] was sold as the [[Opel]]/[[Vauxhall Motors\|Vauxhall]] [[General Motors Sintra\|Sintra]] in the late-1990s, but was not only not to European tastes, but also gained a bad reputation due to poor results in safety tests.

	In [[Japan]], where foreign car manufacturers have traditionally struggled to compete in the local market, even rebadging of U.S. models like the [[Chevrolet Cavalier]] as a [[Toyota]] have failed to improve sales. In some cases, this can be attributed to the manufacturer's lack to attention to the desires of the Japanese consumer, even to so basic a requirement as availability with [[right hand drive]].		In Japan, where foreign car manufacturers have traditionally struggled to compete in the local market, even rebadging of U.S. models like the [[Chevrolet Cavalier]] as a [[Toyota]] have failed to improve sales. In some cases, this can be attributed to the manufacturer's lack to attention to the desires of the Japanese consumer, even to such a basic requirement as availability with [[right hand drive]].

	== Reasons for failure ==		== Reasons for failure ==

Rawja: /* American market */

2008-11-02T22:21:46Z

American market

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 2 November 2008
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	In the American market, captive imports have had a spotty record of success.		In the American market, captive imports have had a spotty record of success.

	The [[Nash Metropolitan]], sold in the U.S. from 1954 to 1962, was an interesting example because it was a captive import for [[Nash Motors]] produced by [[Austin Motor Company\|Austin]] in the UK specifically for sale in the U.S. By entering into a manufacturing arrangement, Nash would avoid the expense associated with tooling, body panels, and components.~~<ref>[http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_nash_metropolitan.htm "Nash Metropolitan" Unique Cars and Parts (Australia) undated], retrieved on [[May 2]] [[2008]].</ref>~~ When this two-seater sub-compact car was launched, it was the first time an American-designed car had been solely built in Europe, never having been built in the United States. Unlike typical European cars of the era, its look was "American" and it had a design resemblance to the large or "senior" U.S.-built Nashes. It became one of the few small cars to sell during this size-obsessed period of U.S. automotive history.		The [[Nash Metropolitan]], sold in the U.S. from 1954 to 1962, was an interesting example because it was a captive import for [[Nash Motors]] produced by [[Austin Motor Company\|Austin]] in the UK specifically for sale in the U.S. By entering into a manufacturing arrangement, Nash would avoid the expense associated with tooling, body panels, and components. When this two-seater sub-compact car was launched, it was the first time an American-designed car had been solely built in Europe, never having been built in the United States. Unlike typical European cars of the era, its look was "American" and it had a design resemblance to the large or "senior" U.S.-built Nashes. It became one of the few small cars to sell during this size-obsessed period of U.S. automotive history.

	When [[Mercedes-Benz]] was seeking entry into the American market, the company signed a marketing agreement with [[Studebaker]]-[[Packard]] and briefly became a captive brand in their showrooms. Around the same time, in a venture now largely forgotten, [[Pontiac]] dealers briefly sold [[Vauxhall Motors\|Vauxhalls]].		When [[Mercedes-Benz]] was seeking entry into the American market, the company signed a marketing agreement with [[Studebaker]]-[[Packard]] and briefly became a captive brand in their showrooms. Around the same time, in a venture now largely forgotten, [[Pontiac]] dealers briefly sold [[Vauxhall Motors\|Vauxhalls]].

Rawja at 22:21, 2 November 2008

2008-11-02T22:21:04Z

New page

'''Captive import''' is an automobile marketing term denoting a foreign-built vehicle that is sold and serviced by a domestic manufacturer through its own car dealership distribution system.

The foreign car may be produced by a subsidiary of the same company, be a joint venture with another firm, or acquired under license from a completely separate entity. The brand name used may be that of the domestic company, the foreign builder, or an unrelated marque entirely (this is one form of [[badge engineering]]).

This arrangement is usually made to increase the competitiveness of the domestic brand by filling a perceived "hole" in its model lineup, which is either not practical or not economically feasible to fill from domestic production. Captive imports are often aimed at the lower end of the market, but this is not always so.

== American market ==

In the American market, captive imports have had a spotty record of success.

The [[Nash Metropolitan]], sold in the U.S. from 1954 to 1962, was an interesting example because it was a captive import for [[Nash Motors]] produced by [[Austin Motor Company|Austin]] in the UK specifically for sale in the U.S. By entering into a manufacturing arrangement, Nash would avoid the expense associated with tooling, body panels, and components.<ref>[http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_nash_metropolitan.htm "Nash Metropolitan" Unique Cars and Parts (Australia) undated], retrieved on [[May 2]] [[2008]].</ref> When this two-seater sub-compact car was launched, it was the first time an American-designed car had been solely built in Europe, never having been built in the United States. Unlike typical European cars of the era, its look was "American" and it had a design resemblance to the large or "senior" U.S.-built Nashes. It became one of the few small cars to sell during this size-obsessed period of U.S. automotive history.

When [[Mercedes-Benz]] was seeking entry into the American market, the company signed a marketing agreement with [[Studebaker]]-[[Packard]] and briefly became a captive brand in their showrooms. Around the same time, in a venture now largely forgotten, [[Pontiac]] dealers briefly sold [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhalls]].

[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], who had invented the modern captive-import system in 1948 with the British Anglia and Prefect, added its own European [[Ford Capri]] to its U.S. [[Mercury]] line in the 1970s and saw strong sales. During the same period, [[Dodge]] did quite well with several small [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]] models, mostly sold as [[Dodge Colt]]s. However, some others, such as the [[Plymouth Cricket]] and Ford's entire [[Merkur]] line, gained a reputation as being poorly suited to American tastes and faded away quickly.

Other experiments, such as [[General Motors Corporation|GM]]'s sale of [[Opel]] models like the [[Opel Kadett|Kadett]] through [[Buick]] dealers in the late 1960s and early 1970s, yielded ambivalent results; the Opels were generally well-regarded and sales were decent but never substantial. In the 1970s, when Buick decided to phase out its Opels and sell small [[Isuzu]]s instead, the result was a handful of cars carrying a truly global but very amusing brand, ''Buick Opel by Isuzu.'' Buick was not the first to rebadge Isuzus — [[Chevrolet]] did the same with their [[Chevrolet LUV|LUV]] pickup truck which it sold from 1972 until 1981.

In 2004, GM began marketing the [[Chevrolet Aveo]] subcompact, a rebadged [[Daewoo Kalos]] (now a rebadged [[Daewoo Gentra]]) assembled in South Korea. In 2008, GM started marketing the [[Saturn Astra]], which is a rebadged [[Opel Astra]], assembled in Belgium.

== Other markets ==

In [[Europe]], there have been relatively few cases of captive imports, and most have been unsuccessful. The [[Chevrolet Venture]] [[minivan]] was sold as the [[Opel]]/[[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]] [[General Motors Sintra|Sintra]] in the late-1990s, but was not only not to European tastes, but also gained a bad reputation due to poor results in safety tests.

In [[Japan]], where foreign car manufacturers have traditionally struggled to compete in the local market, even rebadging of U.S. models like the [[Chevrolet Cavalier]] as a [[Toyota]] have failed to improve sales. In some cases, this can be attributed to the manufacturer's lack to attention to the desires of the Japanese consumer, even to so basic a requirement as availability with [[right hand drive]].

== Reasons for failure ==

Various reasons have been suggested as to why captive imports often fail. The question of exchange rates is clearly important, as a sudden shift can quickly raise prices to uncompetitive levels. Some models have been justly criticized for marginal quality, or being a bad match to the local driving environment. The commitment of domestic sales and service staffs to an unfamiliar vehicle has also often been questioned, particularly if the import is seen as reducing sales of other, more profitable vehicles in the lineup.

Others fail due to no fault of their own; the [[Sunbeam Tiger]], for instance, an early 1960s example of the concept of an American [[Ford Windsor engine]] in a British ([[Sunbeam Alpine]]) body and chassis, enjoyed substantial success until Sunbeam became a captive import of [[Chrysler Corporation]] in North America. Chrysler could not be realistically expected to sell a car with a Ford engine, and Chrysler V8 engines all had the [[distributor]] positioned at the rear of the engine, unlike the front-mounted distributor of the Ford V8, making it impossible to fit the Chrysler engine into the Sunbeam engine bay without major and expensive revisions. Thus this niche of the automotive market was left to be filled with legendary success by the Ford engined [[Shelby Cobra]].

There may be a deeper, structural issue at work, however. It could simply be that a domestic buyer is unlikely to want an import, and an import buyer is unlikely to enter a domestic showroom. A captive thus easily falls between two stools. This is probably why the practice of using a separate brand name, such as [[Merkur]] and [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]]' short-lived [[Geo]], has ceased — the foreignness of the car is thus discreetly made less apparent.

== Exceptions ==
Not every vehicle that appears to be a captive import really is. A vehicle which is foreign-designed or badged but assembled in the market where it is sold does not fall into this category. Such vehicles are frequently the result of [[joint venture]] or [[strategic alliance]] arrangements between automakers.

For example, the [[Renault Alliance]], which was sold through [[American Motors Corporation|American Motors]] (AMC) dealers in the 1980s, was actually assembled by AMC as part of the brief tie-up between the two companies. The [[Geo Prizm]], though it was a [[Toyota]] design and shared a showroom with many captives, was built domestically by the GM/Toyota [[NUMMI]] joint venture. The [[Eagle Talon]] and [[Plymouth Laser]], both sisters to the [[Mitsubishi Eclipse]], were manufactured in the U.S. by [[Diamond-Star Motors]], a [[Chrysler]]/ [[Mitsubishi Motors]] joint ventue.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond-Star_Motors</ref> Australia's [[Holden]], although it often shares planning and hardware with the rest of GM's global empire such as Opel and Isuzu, has generally preferred to assemble its versions of such vehicles locally. [[Rover (car)|Rover]] and [[Honda]] have co-produced models for the European market, as have [[Alfa Romeo]] and [[Nissan]]. None of these would be considered imports.

In the United States, a vehicle that is assembled in Canada or Mexico and is distributed domestically by a Big 3 automaker is not considered a captive import. This is due to the integration of manufacturing operations by the Big 3 in these countries due to the hospitable trade environment created by the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]], coupled with the proximity of these nations to the U.S. Also, vehicles made and marketed by European automakers that were eventually acquired by the Big 3 automakers, such as [[Land Rover]], [[Volvo Cars|Volvo]], and [[Saab Automobile|Saab]], are generally not considered to be captive imports. The Opel vehicles sold in the 1960s and 1970s are exceptions to this rule because they were sold through the Buick distribution channel. Thus, they are captive imports.

== Recent models ==
Recent examples of captive imports in the U.S. have included the [[Cadillac Catera]], a rebadged [[General Motors Omega|Opel Omega]], the [[Chevrolet Aveo]], built by [[GM Daewoo]], and the [[Chrysler Crossfire]] — an American design which mostly uses [[Mercedes-Benz]] mechanicals but is actually built by [[Karmann]] in [[Germany]]. The most recent [[Pontiac GTO]], which was built alongside the Australian [[Holden Monaro]], also qualifies. The [[Saturn Astra]] is another example. It is a rebadged [[Opel Astra]] that is imported from Belgium. The successor for [[Pontiac Grand PrixPontiac's seventh generation Grand Prix]], the [[Pontiac G8]], is a modified [[Holden VE Commodore]] that is imported from Australia.

== List of notable captive imports in the United States ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Model
! Year(s)
! Country of assembly
|-
| [[Cadillac Catera]] || 1997-2001 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Chevrolet Aveo]] || 2004-present || [[South Korea]]
|-
| [[Chevrolet LUV]] || 1972-1982 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Chevrolet Spectrum]] || 1985-1988 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Chevrolet Sprint]] || 1985-1988 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Chrysler Conquest]] || 1987-1989 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Chrysler Crossfire]] || 2004-2008 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Chrysler TC by Maserati]] || 1989-1991 || [[Italy]]
|-
| [[Mitsubishi Galant Lambda|Dodge Challenger]] || 1978-1983 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Dodge Colt|Dodge/Plymouth Colt]] || 1971-1994 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Dodge Conquest]] || 1984-1986 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Dodge Raider]] || 1987-1989 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Dodge Stealth]] || 1991-1996 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Eagle Medallion]] || 1988-1989 || [[France]]
|-
| [[Eagle Summit]] || 1989-1996 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Ford Anglia]] || 1948-1967 || [[United Kingdom]]
|-
| [[Ford Aspire]] || 1994-1997 || [[South Korea]]
|-
| [[Ford Cortina]] || 1962-1970 || [[United Kingdom]]
|-
| [[Ford Courier]] || 1972-1982 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Ford Fiesta]] || 1978-1980 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Ford Festiva]] || 1988-1993 || [[South Korea]]
|-
| [[Geo Spectrum]] || 1989 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Geo Storm]] || 1990-1993 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Mercury Capri]] || 1970-1977 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Mercury Capri]] || 1991-1994 || [[Australia]]
|-
| [[Mercury Tracer]] (3-door model) || 1988-1989 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Ford Scorpio#Merkur Scorpio|Merkur Scorpio]] || 1988-1989 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Merkur XR4Ti]] || 1985-1989 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Opel Ascona]] || 1971-1975 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Opel GT]] || 1968-1973 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Opel Kadett]] || 1964-1972 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Opel Manta]] || 1971-1975 || [[Germany]]
|-
| [[Plymouth Arrow]] || 1976-1980 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Plymouth Champ]] || 1979-1982 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Plymouth Conquest]] || 1984-1986 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Hillman Avenger|Plymouth Cricket]] || 1971-1973 || [[United Kingdom]]
|-
| [[Plymouth Sapporo]] || 1978-1983 || [[Japan]]
|-
| [[Pontiac G8]] || 2008-present || [[Australia]]
|-
| [[Pontiac GTO]] || 2004-2006 || [[Australia]]
|-
| [[Pontiac LeMans]] || 1988-1993 || [[South Korea]]
|-
| [[Saturn Astra]] || 2008-present || [[Belgium]]
|}

{{AMC Timeline Imports}}

== List of notable captive imports in Japan ==
*[[Toyota Cavalier]] (Chevrolet Cavalier)
*[[Toyota Voltz]] (Pontiac Vibe)

== List of notable captive imports in Europe ==
*[[Ford Cougar]]
*[[Ford Escape]]
*[[Opel GT]]
*[[Opel Sintra]]
*[[Vauxhall Monaro]]

== See also ==
*[[Geo]]
*[[Merkur]]
*[[Mercury Capri]]
*[[Badge engineering]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.physics.ucsb.edu/~airboy/our_metro.html Nash Metropolitans]
*[http://patriot.net/~jonroq/stumerc.htm Studebaker-Mercedes tieup]
*[http://www.angelfire.com/me/GETASPLATTUPYA/gemini.html Isuzu Geminis, including Buick Opel version]
*[http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2297 Consumer Guide on Cadillac Catera]
*[http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/0304_chrysler_crossfire/ Chrysler Crossfire review]
*[http://www.chevrolet.com/aveo/ Official Chevrolet Aveo site]
*[http://www.thepeoplenews.com/March04/page14.html A quite negative article on captives]

[[Category:Automotive industry]]