GM takes badge engineering to new heights!

Started by Madman, May 14, 2013, 01:21:16 PM

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Madman

May 14, 2013, 01:21:16 PM



I thought this was an Onion-like piss-take the first time I saw this.  Alas, no.  The Chevrolet City Express is for REAL!!!  :facepalm:

Yes, that's a Nissan NV200 wearing a Chevy grille.  Mind you, sticking one of their badges onto somebody else's small van is nothing new for the General.  GM Europe already sells the Opel/Vauxhall Combo, a Fiat Doblo in disguise......




Chevy City Express article here.....

http://jalopnik.com/chevy-cant-make-its-own-small-van-and-will-use-nissan-505628631
Current cars: 2015 Ford Escape SE, 2011 MINI Cooper

Formerly owned cars: 2010 Mazda 5 Sport, 2008 Audi A4 2.0T S-Line Sedan, 2003 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T wagon, 1998 Ford Escort SE sedan, 2001 Cadillac Catera, 2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS 2.0 5-Door, 1997 Honda Odyssey LX, 1991 Volvo 240 sedan, 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo sedan, 1987 Volvo 240 DL sedan, 1990 Peugeot 405 DL Sportswagon, 1985 Peugeot 505 Turbo sedan, 1985 Merkur XR4Ti, 1983 Renault R9 Alliance DL sedan, 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic wagon, 1975 Volkswagen Transporter, 1980 Fiat X-1/9 Bertone, 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit C 3-Door hatch, 1976 Ford Pinto V6 coupe, 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe sedan

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." ~ Isaac Asimov

"I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses." - Johannes Kepler

"One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts." - C.S. Lewis

GoCougs

#1
May 14, 2013, 01:38:09 PM
That's not badge engineering - 100% of the sheet metal is different, and markedly so (A-pillar and beltline). That's platform sharing, which everybody does.

Madman

#2
May 14, 2013, 01:55:59 PM
Quote from: GoCougs on May 14, 2013, 01:38:09 PM
That's not badge engineering - 100% of the sheet metal is different, and markedly so (A-pillar and beltline). That's platform sharing, which everybody does.


WTF?  :nutty:


The sheet metal is identical.  Only the grille, headlights and plastic bumper (and maybe the hood?) has changed.



.

Current cars: 2015 Ford Escape SE, 2011 MINI Cooper

Formerly owned cars: 2010 Mazda 5 Sport, 2008 Audi A4 2.0T S-Line Sedan, 2003 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T wagon, 1998 Ford Escort SE sedan, 2001 Cadillac Catera, 2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS 2.0 5-Door, 1997 Honda Odyssey LX, 1991 Volvo 240 sedan, 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo sedan, 1987 Volvo 240 DL sedan, 1990 Peugeot 405 DL Sportswagon, 1985 Peugeot 505 Turbo sedan, 1985 Merkur XR4Ti, 1983 Renault R9 Alliance DL sedan, 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic wagon, 1975 Volkswagen Transporter, 1980 Fiat X-1/9 Bertone, 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit C 3-Door hatch, 1976 Ford Pinto V6 coupe, 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe sedan

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." ~ Isaac Asimov

"I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses." - Johannes Kepler

"One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts." - C.S. Lewis

GoCougs

#3
May 14, 2013, 01:58:14 PM
lol - think about posting better pictures next time.

Soup DeVille

#4
May 14, 2013, 01:58:17 PM
If you think this is a new level of badge engineering that we haven't seen before, you just must have forgotten the '70s, '80s, and '90s.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

2o6

#5
May 14, 2013, 02:00:52 PM
No one gives a shit.

Madman

#6
May 14, 2013, 02:14:40 PM
Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 14, 2013, 01:58:17 PM
If you think this is a new level of badge engineering that we haven't seen before, you just must have forgotten the '70s, '80s, and '90s.


I've tried to block that sad era from my memory!  :lol:
Current cars: 2015 Ford Escape SE, 2011 MINI Cooper

Formerly owned cars: 2010 Mazda 5 Sport, 2008 Audi A4 2.0T S-Line Sedan, 2003 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T wagon, 1998 Ford Escort SE sedan, 2001 Cadillac Catera, 2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS 2.0 5-Door, 1997 Honda Odyssey LX, 1991 Volvo 240 sedan, 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo sedan, 1987 Volvo 240 DL sedan, 1990 Peugeot 405 DL Sportswagon, 1985 Peugeot 505 Turbo sedan, 1985 Merkur XR4Ti, 1983 Renault R9 Alliance DL sedan, 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic wagon, 1975 Volkswagen Transporter, 1980 Fiat X-1/9 Bertone, 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit C 3-Door hatch, 1976 Ford Pinto V6 coupe, 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe sedan

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." ~ Isaac Asimov

"I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses." - Johannes Kepler

"One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts." - C.S. Lewis

Colin

#7
May 14, 2013, 02:29:19 PM
Yes, but don't forget that the GM Europe Corsa and Fiat Punto share a jointly developed platform, and the same (Fiat) diesel engine, so no real surprise that the van derivative would end up being so similar.

MrH

#8
May 14, 2013, 02:44:55 PM
Quote from: GoCougs on May 14, 2013, 01:58:14 PM
lol - think about posting better pictures next time.

:internetry:
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Soup DeVille

#9
May 14, 2013, 03:06:45 PM
Quote from: Madman on May 14, 2013, 02:14:40 PM

I've tried to block that sad era from my memory!  :lol:

Understandable, but still; this has nothing on the olds/Pontiac/Buick examples of olde.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

MX793

#10
May 14, 2013, 03:08:38 PM
Quote from: GoCougs on May 14, 2013, 01:58:14 PM
lol - think about posting better pictures next time.

Reading comprehension.  I has it.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

cawimmer430

#11
May 14, 2013, 03:16:04 PM
Quote from: Madman on May 14, 2013, 02:14:40 PM

I've tried to block that sad era from my memory!  :lol:

Those were the days! Those were the days!  :praise:  :rockon:
-2018 Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Line (W177)



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Madman

#13
May 14, 2013, 04:29:52 PM
Quote from: GoCougs on May 14, 2013, 01:58:14 PM
lol - think about posting better pictures next time.


www.lenscrafters.com
Current cars: 2015 Ford Escape SE, 2011 MINI Cooper

Formerly owned cars: 2010 Mazda 5 Sport, 2008 Audi A4 2.0T S-Line Sedan, 2003 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T wagon, 1998 Ford Escort SE sedan, 2001 Cadillac Catera, 2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS 2.0 5-Door, 1997 Honda Odyssey LX, 1991 Volvo 240 sedan, 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo sedan, 1987 Volvo 240 DL sedan, 1990 Peugeot 405 DL Sportswagon, 1985 Peugeot 505 Turbo sedan, 1985 Merkur XR4Ti, 1983 Renault R9 Alliance DL sedan, 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic wagon, 1975 Volkswagen Transporter, 1980 Fiat X-1/9 Bertone, 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit C 3-Door hatch, 1976 Ford Pinto V6 coupe, 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe sedan

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." ~ Isaac Asimov

"I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses." - Johannes Kepler

"One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts." - C.S. Lewis

Soup DeVille

#14
May 14, 2013, 04:35:04 PM
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

Payman

#15
May 14, 2013, 07:18:06 PM
At least the Chevy version looks much better than the Nissan.

Mustangfan2003

#16
May 14, 2013, 09:32:30 PM
GM can't build their own van so they call Nissan.  Maybe in return GM could build Nissan a full size truck since they can't do a good job with that.  Win win I see. 

2o6

#17
May 14, 2013, 11:46:47 PM
GM likely doesnt see the need in developing a van for a market that Ford and the French have on lock. Hell, the Opel Vivaro and its Vauxhall twin was developed with Renault/Nissan.



And from a design vs usability standpoint, the Nissan beats the brakes off the smaller Ford vans.

TurboDan

#18
May 18, 2013, 12:48:26 AM
I can see the anger at rebadges of desirable cars, but who cares what is happening with a rebadged work van? They all look exactly the same anyway no matter which company designs it. This thing doesn't look any different from the Ford one, the Fiat one, the Mercedes one, etc.

93JC

#19
May 20, 2013, 11:03:57 PM
Quote from: Mustangfan2003 on May 14, 2013, 09:32:30 PM
GM can't build their own van so they call Nissan.

GM can build their own van, it's just not worth spending the money to develop a new one. Cheaper to slap their own badge on someone else's product. And I bet you they'll sell more of them than Nissan if they want to.

280Z Turbo

#21
May 21, 2013, 07:29:40 AM
Quote from: 93JC on May 20, 2013, 11:03:57 PM
GM can build their own van, it's just not worth spending the money to develop a new one. Cheaper to slap their own badge on someone else's product. And I bet you they'll sell more of them than Nissan if they want to.

+1

I don't think anyone thinks Nissan dealer when they need a van. It's probably a good deal for GM and Nissan.

FlatBlackCaddy

#22
May 21, 2013, 07:53:29 AM
I didn't think GM and Nissan were still doing this, didn't they have a shared van back in the late 80's early 90's as well?

Madman

#23
May 21, 2013, 12:35:02 PM
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on May 21, 2013, 07:53:29 AM
I didn't think GM and Nissan were still doing this, didn't they have a shared van back in the late 80's early 90's as well?


I'm pretty sure you're thinking of the early Nissan Quest and its Mercury Villager clone.
Current cars: 2015 Ford Escape SE, 2011 MINI Cooper

Formerly owned cars: 2010 Mazda 5 Sport, 2008 Audi A4 2.0T S-Line Sedan, 2003 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T wagon, 1998 Ford Escort SE sedan, 2001 Cadillac Catera, 2000 Volkswagen Golf GLS 2.0 5-Door, 1997 Honda Odyssey LX, 1991 Volvo 240 sedan, 1990 Volvo 740 Turbo sedan, 1987 Volvo 240 DL sedan, 1990 Peugeot 405 DL Sportswagon, 1985 Peugeot 505 Turbo sedan, 1985 Merkur XR4Ti, 1983 Renault R9 Alliance DL sedan, 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classic wagon, 1975 Volkswagen Transporter, 1980 Fiat X-1/9 Bertone, 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit C 3-Door hatch, 1976 Ford Pinto V6 coupe, 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe sedan

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom." ~ Isaac Asimov

"I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses." - Johannes Kepler

"One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts." - C.S. Lewis

rohan

#24
May 22, 2013, 04:37:50 AM
VW has been doing it with the Routan for awhile now.  :huh:
http://outdooradventuresrevived.blogspot.com/

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from out children."

~Chief Seattle




FlatBlackCaddy

#25
May 22, 2013, 07:27:41 AM
Quote from: Madman on May 21, 2013, 12:35:02 PM

I'm pretty sure you're thinking of the early Nissan Quest and its Mercury Villager clone.

ya, that's the one. I knew it's was one of the domestics. Thought it was GM. Now that I think about it GM's minivans were normally even worse than nissan's.

pendyman

#26
May 22, 2013, 08:48:18 PM
Quote from: Rockraven on May 14, 2013, 07:18:06 PM
At least the Chevy version looks much better than the Nissan.

Agreed. What's depressing for me as a New Yorker is that the ugly ass Nissan version of this is going to be the new NYC taxis. I will have to pay for the privilege of riding in this piece of shit.

TurboDan

#27
May 23, 2013, 02:49:49 AM
Quote from: pendyman on May 22, 2013, 08:48:18 PM
Agreed. What's depressing for me as a New Yorker is that the ugly ass Nissan version of this is going to be the new NYC taxis. I will have to pay for the privilege of riding in this piece of shit.



Is that any more a piece of shit than a Ford Crown Vic??

Catman

#29
May 25, 2013, 06:22:11 AM
Its a cab! Who give a shit.
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