# What's the point of Chevy and GM having the same models with minor changes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 10, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410 "2005-08-10T06:04:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![iwakura43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de0a6/32.png) [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/21 "2005-08-11T01:33:39Z")
> [@wolfstu](#): > > Also, I’m not sure, but looking at photos online, the Acura TSX and Honda Accord look like they’d be easily mistaken for each other, down to the shape of the taillights and the front grill – things that are commonly changed to make the same car look different. The Acura TSX is actually the same car as what is sold in Europe and Japan as the “Honda Accord.” The Europeans and Japanese get a bit sportier, swankier vehicle. Incidentally, the American Accord is sold in Japan as the Honda Inspire, but the Inspire has some tech upgrades. I’m not sure why anybody would want an American Accord, versus the foreign cars, except for the price issue. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/22 "2005-08-11T01:44:38Z")
I knew there was a blessing in buying a Ford truck. No other brands to confuse, just good old truck, best selling 25 years+. Since my truck has air, tilt wheel, cruise, power windows, door locks, and a 4 speaker CD sound system, I’ve got creature comforts and can still see over the rice rockets. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/23 "2005-08-11T02:17:19Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > I knew there was a blessing in buying a Ford truck. No other brands to confuse, just good old truck, best selling 25 years+. Since my truck has air, tilt wheel, cruise, power windows, door locks, and a 4 speaker CD sound system, I’ve got creature comforts and can still see over the rice rockets. 😃 Hmmm… the Ford Ranger and the Mazda B? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/24 "2005-08-11T02:21:31Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > I knew there was a blessing in buying a Ford truck. No other brands to confuse, just good old truck, best selling 25 years+. Meet the [2006 Lincoln Mark LT](http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2448.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/25 "2005-08-11T02:25:01Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Ford, on the other hand, has a lot more similarities between their Ford and Mercury vehicles. And Mazda. Ford Escape = Mazda Tribute Ford Ranger = Mazda B4000 Etc. and so on, as Nunavut Boy already pointed out. Built in the same plant, on the same line, by the same workers. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/26 "2005-08-11T03:48:17Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > The Japanese most certainly did not start that phenomenon. I don’t think that’s what the previous poster meant. I think it was meant to say “Acura began using” that theory of marketing, rather than that they “originated” it. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/27 "2005-08-11T15:05:00Z")
You may be correct, Jason. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/28 "2005-08-11T15:17:51Z")
Jaguar = Ford Contour ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/29 "2005-08-11T16:42:05Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Chrysler was doing this in the 60’s & 70’s. Take a look at the Dodge Challenger & the Plymouth Barracuda. You could bolt the front end of one of 'em right on the other, no metal work necessary. Probably even earlier than that. My mother had a 1962 Chrysler Newport and my aunt had a 1962 Dodge (Coronet or Monaco). Except for a minor difference in the tail lights, they were the same car past the front grill and headlights. For that matter, there was the infamous 1957 [Studebaker-Packard merger](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_and_1958_Packards) . ---
**Author:** ![Skipper\_Too](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Skipper\_Too](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skipper_Too)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/30 "2005-08-11T18:47:19Z")
> [@psycat90](#): > > And Mazda. > > Ford Escape = Mazda Tribute Add to that Land Rover Freelander > [@philster](#): > > Jaguar = Ford Contour Ford has bought premium brands and bastardized them. There is no mistaking Fords influence in the new designs of the Jaguars. Although they have not done a whole lot that I have seen so far to screw up Volvo. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/31 "2005-08-11T19:28:28Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > the Volkswagon Auto Group (consisting of Volkswagon, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, Bentley/Rolls Royce, Bugatti, and Lamborghini) Rolls-Royce and Bentley got split up in the tussle between V.W. and B.M.W. B.M.W. got the Rolls brand. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/32 "2005-08-11T19:46:39Z")
> [@Skipper Too](#): > > Ford has bought premium brands and bastardized them. There is no mistaking Fords influence in the new designs of the Jaguars. > > Although they have not done a whole lot that I have seen so far to screw up Volvo. Yeah, but only the low-end of the premium brands. Just about anyone can own some type of Jaguar or Land Rover now. They’re not just for the rich. Considering how they both hemmoraged money (and still do!), we can all thank Ford for saving the brands. And improving their quality, ironically. As for Volvo, just the opposite it occuring. Look at the incredible new Five Hundred and the new Freestyle. Take a test drive. Look at the quality and the workmanship. Ford’s turning a big corner by embracing these designs. ---
**Author:** ![jbarro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@jbarro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jbarro)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/33 "2005-08-12T02:36:23Z")
Pontiac Vibe = Toyota Matrix Built on the same assembly line - Toyota does the engine, Pontiac handles the body. We just bought the Vibe, which is a few thousand cheaper than the Matrix, but comes with fog lamps and the nifty 110 volt household plug in that the Matrix doesn’t have. However, we have friends who insist the Matrix is beter, because “Toyota makes a much better car” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/34 "2005-08-12T04:23:53Z")
> [@Skipper Too](#): > > Although they have not done a whole lot that I have seen so far to screw up Volvo. Actually it has gone the other way. Have you have a chance to test drive the [Fjord 500?](http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/FordFiveHundred/Photos.htm) , or the SUV version the [Fjord Freestyle?](http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/0410_ford_freestyle/)😃 > [@](#): > > If you see the shadow of the Volvo XC90 in the Freestyle, you’ve got keen eyes, because the fundamental vehicle architecture is the same…Many of the Volvo XC90’s best attributes are in place as well. The Haldex all-wheel-drive system responds to slippery surfaces with notable quickness. The body structure is stout. As in the Ford Five Hundred and the Mercury Montego, there are side air bags and canopy-type head protection bags These cars (and their Mercury equivlents) share common platform, the entire electrical system, AWD system, rear axle assembly, and a few other odds and ends with the Volvo P2 series (S80, XC90). These are not namebadge engineered cars, they just share a design for the platform, and a whole bunch of parts. Nowhere near all the parts, just a bunch under the skin. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/35 "2005-08-12T04:43:53Z")
Very interesting thread. Very educational. What about Subaru; are they unique? ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/36 "2005-08-12T11:38:49Z")
> [@Eyer8](#): > > What about Subaru; are they unique? Nope, not anymore [thanks to GM](http://www.saabcentral.com/features/9-2x_index.php) . Although there is perhaps a bigger difference in looks between the Saab and Subaru than between other models mentioned in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/37 "2005-08-12T13:55:52Z")
Also the B9 Tribeca (or whatever they are calling that thing) shares a platform with other GM and Saab vehicles, but I can’t remember which ones. Plus the Forester and Imprezza are on the same platform. ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410/38 "2005-08-12T14:34:27Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Yeah, but only the low-end of the premium brands. Just about anyone can own some type of Jaguar or Land Rover now. They’re not just for the rich. Considering how they both hemmoraged money (and still do!), we can all thank Ford for saving the brands. And improving their quality, ironically. The Ford / Jaguar marriage is interesting. Jaguar has always had some of the top styling in the industry. Probably no other brand has had more styling cues ripped-off by other designers. Jaguar’s problems stemmed from quality and reliability. For instance, the XK-E was a styling classic but the underlying mechanics made it an owners nighmare. Ford steps in and using Ford parts and engineering has vastly improved the quality and reliability. Can it work long term? Who knows? A similar situation exists with Land Rover. (The only reason there were Land Rovers in Africa was because the Brits had influence with the UN purchasing committies. Otherwise, the vehicles were a servicing nightmare and had no business being used in under-developed areas.) Still, most of the Jaguars are great looking cars. If they can put the poor reliability reputation behind them they may become a profitable brand again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-chevy-and-gm-having-the-same-models-with-minor-changes/316410.md?page=1)