Rebadging

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Opel Corsa B

Chevrolet Corsa

Renault 12

Dacia 1310

Two examples of rebadging in Opel (above) and Renault vehicles. The Corsa has also been rebadged under other marques of General Motors such as Vauxhall or Holden.

In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand (at high cost or risk), a manufacturer creates a distinct automobile by applying a new "badge" or trademark (brand, logo, or manufacturer's name/make/marque) to an existing product line.^[1][2]

Rebadging is also known as rebranding and badge engineering; the latter is an intentionally ironic misnomer in that little or no actual engineering takes place.^[3][4] The term originated with the practice of replacing an automobile's emblems to create an ostensibly new model sold by a different maker. Changes may be confined to swapping badges and emblems, or may encompass minor styling differences, as with cosmetic changes to headlights, taillights, front and rear fascias, and even outer body skins. More extreme examples involve differing engines and drivetrains. The objective is "to spread the huge development costs of a new vehicle over as many cars as possible".^[5] An example is General Motors' rebadging of the Camaro as the Firebird, a successful model from the 1960s through to the 2000s.^[6] In most cases, consumers are interested in each brand's focus "on the unique elements of styling and driving characteristics".^[5] Some cars would not be marketed without the cost savings that are obtained from this practice, and carmakers can develop many "different models – all wearing different badges – off the one platform".^[7]

In several countries including Japan, manufacturers often use the phrase "OEM supply" or "OEM-supplied" to denote vehicles that are a rebadged model from or for other manufacturers.^[8][9][10]

Although platform sharing can often involve rebadging and rebranding, it can extend further, as the design may be used across multiple configurations. For example, a single platform may underpin a sedan, hatchback, or SUV/CUV body designs.

Automotive industry rebadging can be compared with white-label products in other consumer goods industries, such as consumer electronics and power tools.