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.
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?
Meet the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT
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.
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.
You may be correct, Jason.
Jaguar = Ford Contour
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 .
Add to that Land Rover Freelander
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.
Rolls-Royce and Bentley got split up in the tussle between V.W. and B.M.W. B.M.W. got the Rolls brand.
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.
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:
Actually it has gone the other way. Have you have a chance to test drive the Fjord 500? , or the SUV version the Fjord Freestyle?
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.
Very interesting thread. Very educational.
What about Subaru; are they unique?
Nope, not anymore thanks to GM . Although there is perhaps a bigger difference in looks between the Saab and Subaru than between other models mentioned in this thread.
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.
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.