Rebadging Adds a Luxe Look to Cars

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed)
Nov 13th 2006 at 6:06PM

Naming your Porsche is one thing, but the line must be drawn somewhere, since more and more car buyers want to pass their cars off as something they're not. We're not talking about body kits and fresh paint, but about buying the manufacturer's emblems from more expensive cars to try to make their own seem more impressive. This isn't necessarily a new concept, but apparently automakers don't have a problem selling the parts. Mercedes dealers sell the lettering and logos that indicate "cars are the high-end AMG version for about $65" and the GM of the country's top-selling dealership says that 1-2% of all buyers "ask to have their car rebadged." High performance companies, like Shelby Automobiles and Saleen, on the other hand, aren't about to risk their reputations by selling their various indicators of authenticity, so not every brand is available for purchase.

No one who knows their wheels is going to blink twice at an obviously mis-branded vehicle, so the question remains as to who these buyers think they're fooling? Most likely, the answer is themselves.

Tags: brand, car, cars, dealers, emblem, logo, logos, mercedes

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)

Denise Nov 21st 2006 11:42PM

If there's no friggin' badges and you like the car, how in the hell do you know what model to buy???

mindygdane Nov 22nd 2006 12:23AM

I'd like to rebadge a pinto, and see what looks I'd get... I do have a sense of humor :-)

Billy G Nov 22nd 2006 12:56AM

Ok, i don't think they mean taking a Merc or Beemer badge and puttin it on a Focus...they mean adding an AMG to your C-Class...or SVT to your base Focus, etc. That is completely lame. As for the guy who put the hood and gauges and all on his Mustang, go for it, if you like the LOOK. But put the "Cobra" logos on it, and you've taken it too far.

Sinclair Nov 22nd 2006 12:40AM

I went to a car dealer in Tyson's Corner, VA and saw a BMW 330i at a great price......till the salesman told me it was a 325i that the previous owner had rebadged. Not much difference between the 325i and the 330i except under the hood (of course the new coupe is something altogether different).

dave genzler Nov 22nd 2006 12:51AM

While I was shopping last year for a slightly used Jeep TJ I came across a Sahara that was traded in to a Honda dealership as a Rubicon. It had a cheap body lift kit and some new stickers that said RUBICON on the hood. Somebody got an extra 5000 for their trade in. I didn't buy it...

Saul Nov 22nd 2006 12:53AM

I saw a Honda with a Lexus badge on it, I looked at it funny and it fell off. There's 3 options; no badges, the right badges, or outrageous badges, outrageous being like having a jaguar hood ornament on a Jeep.

-Saul

yTfromDuhBlok Nov 22nd 2006 1:07AM

Yo, if u aints got no badges on youre ride then erybody just thinks it is junk. a blingin hoopt is like you know, fo reals. all those big money cars don't matter, cauz u can slizzap a sticker and some dubs on anything and still have change for some barnyard pimp.

raymondo Nov 22nd 2006 1:04AM

30 years ago a friend of mine bought a 69 rolls royce with a bad motor. we dropped a chevy 454 into it so he could afford to repair and drive it ..talk about rebadging.

Marcus Blum Nov 22nd 2006 1:40AM

Why rebadging the car? If you want to buy a Mercedes, BMW, Porshe, or any europeon car, buy it. I rather take out a loan than pay in full.

Herb Drasler Nov 22nd 2006 1:49AM

Hell, When I was a heck of a lot younger than my 65 years now, we used to take the badges and make belt buckles with them......Mercedes dealers couldn't keep them in stock there were so many ripped...Then there was the time cars didn't come with any "sticking" badges.....Don't need em....especially on a Vette..other than whats there in the first place..

MONI R. Nov 22nd 2006 3:13AM

HAS ANYBODY IN HERE EVER HEARD OF ONE WORD AND ONE WORD ONLY "HONESTY" PURE AND SIMPLE! IF YOU DRIVE A BENZ ITS OH SO SWEET BUT IF DRIVE A FORD THEN DEAL WITH IT!

Jim Nov 22nd 2006 3:14AM

The only name is on my car or truck is the name of the car or truck. I take off the dealer name as soon as I sign the papers. I made sure they take off the plates with there name on it. If they want me to have thier name on it, they should pay me and not me pay them.

shirley Nov 22nd 2006 5:46AM

Badges are for prestiege and car is a car. I have 1985 Chevy cavilier that I had to get cause it had four wheel after my Olds supreme broke down and it was 96. So as long as car gets to and from work to stores and to friends what is th e big deal