10 Cars With Different Names in Different Countries
If you have done some traveling around the world, it’s likely you’ve seen the same cars abroad except with different names than what you’re used to in North America.
There are numerous reasons why car models are rebadged for different countries, one of which is to make sure nothing gets lost in translation. Take the Chevrolet Nova, for example, a nameplate that is often used as an anecdote in marketing classes because no va translates to “it doesn’t go” in Spanish. Some say that the Chevrolet Nova failed in Spanish-speaking markets because of its name, although it’s mostly a myth and has been proven false over the years.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 Strangest Rebadged Vehicles
Here are 10 interesting cars that are sold in different markets under different names.
10. Chevrolet Spark / Opel Karl
While they aren’t identical cars when it comes to styling, the Opel Karl shares its underpinnings and overall design with the Chevrolet Spark. The subcompact is also sold under the Vauxhall Viva nameplate in the U.K.
9. Chevrolet Bolt / Opel Ampera-e
The Opel Ampera-e is essentially the Chevrolet Bolt’s German twin, with minor changes to its aesthetics to fit with the Opel brand name. The Ampera nameplate is also used for the European equivalent of the Chevrolet Volt, while the model takes the Vauxhall brand in the U.K.
8. Chevrolet SS / Holden Commodore
Unlike most of Chevrolet’s models, the SS is actually imported from Australia and is produced by Holden. In its home market, the sports sedan is known as the Holden Commodore. Sadly, its future isn’t very bright, as Holden is shutting down in Australia.
7. Dodge Dart / Fiat Viaggio
The Fiat Viaggio is a good example of how vehicles change for the global market. Known as the Dodge Dart in North America, the Fiat Viaggio is actually built in China for the Chinese market and instead of the 2.0- or 2.4-liter engine used in the Dart, the Viaggio comes with a smaller 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. The Dodge Dart/Fiat Viaggio is actually based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and is produced under Fiat’s partnership with Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group.
6. Ford F-150 / Ford Lobo
The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for many years, but in Mexico, it’s not even called that – it’s called the Ford Lobo. In Spanish, Lobo means “wolf,” which seems like a fitting nameplate for Ford’s popular pickup truck.
5. Ford Fusion / Ford Mondeo
North Americans might know it as the Ford Fusion, but elsewhere in the world, the midsize sedan is called the Ford Mondeo. Interestingly enough, its name comes from the Latin word mundus, meaning “world.” In other words, the Mondeo was designed to be a world car, except it took on a different name in the North American market.
4. Infiniti Q50 & Q60 / Nissan Skyline
For decades, the Nissan Skyline was a sought after model in the U.S., with avid motoring enthusiasts doing whatever they could to import the infamous Skyline to North American shores. But that all changed when Nissan decided to market the GT-R nameplate wolrdwide, shifting the Skyline name to a more conventional vehicle, which became to be known as the G35 and G37 in the U.S. Subsequently, Infiniti changed its entire naming convention and now it’s known as the Q50 and Q60 – but in Japan, it still carries the Skyline nameplate.
3. Infiniti Q70 / Nissan Fuga
Like the Nissan Skyline and the Infiniti Q50/Q60 models, the larger Infiniti Q70 takes on a different nameplate in Japan. The model was previously known as the Infiniti M and has been the flagship for Infiniti since 2006.
2. Mazda2 / Mazda Demio
The Mazda2 no longer exists in North America, but the subcompact lives on in other markets. In Japan, it’s known as the Mazda Demio and it actually exists in another form in the U.S. as the Scion iA. But now that the Scion marque has been killed off, it will be rebranded as the Toyota Yaris iA.
1. Scion iM / Toyota Auris
When the Scion iM was first introduced as a concept, it appeared that it would inject some life back into the youth-oriented brand. But even in concept form, it was evident that the model would be based on the Toyota Auris, although North American enthusiasts hoped it would be more aggressive and sporty. Unfortunately for them, the production Scion iM took the form of the European Toyota Auris with very little changes. The Scion iM will become the Toyota Corolla iM now that the Scion brand has been axed.
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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The Infiniti M is also the Mitsubishi Proudia in other countries.
The mazda 6 is mazda atenza in japan