Captive import is a marketing term and a strategy[1] for a vehicle that is foreign-built and sold under the name of an importer or by a domestic automaker through its own dealer distribution system.[2]

The foreign vehicle may be produced by a subsidiary of the same company, be a joint venture with another firm, or be acquired under license from a completely separate entity. The brand name used may be that of the domestic company, the foreign builder, or an unrelated marque entirely (this is one type of "badge engineering").

A Merkur Scorpio manufactured in West Germany by Ford of Europe and marketed in the United States, an example of a captive import

Background

Captive import arrangements are usually made to increase the competitiveness of the domestic brand by filling a perceived target market not currently served by its model lineup, that is either not practical or not economically feasible to fill from domestic production or a mutually beneficial agreement that helps automakers without a strong distribution network or a presence in a certain country to benefit from the distribution network and stronger brand image of an established automobile manufacturer in that location. One example is the agreement between Chrysler and Mitsubishi Motors that started in 1971, where Chrysler imported Mitsubishi-manufactured vehicles into the United States to fill a void in their compact lineup with vehicles such as the Dodge Colt. Mitsubishi would only start selling vehicles under their own name in the United States in 1982.

In countries or regions where a foreign manufacturer might have a fully owned subsidiary that develops and manufactures vehicles or a strong manufacturing presence, a captive import can be a vehicle from the manufacturers' indigenous country or an affiliated manufacturer worldwide. Holden is the Australian subsidiary of American General Motors, and was considered to be a domestic manufacturer in Australia until Australian domestic production completely ended in 2017. In the past, Holden has also imported the Mexican-built Holden Suburban, a variant of the North American Chevrolet Suburban, along with the Holden Jackaroo built by General Motors' Japanese affiliate Isuzu in Japan. An example of an Australian captive import is the Holden Barina that has since 1985 been the Suzuki Cultus, two generations of the European Opel Corsa, and is also the Korean Daewoo Kalos (marketed internationally as the Chevrolet Aveo.)

For countries that do not have native manufacturers or a development/manufacturing presence, a captive import is a vehicle not manufactured by the specific company that imported the vehicle but sold under its brand. Usually, the manufacturer of the vehicle might be an affiliate of the importer. The Chevrolet Forester was sold in India by General Motors, where its manufacturer, Japan-based Subaru does not have a sales presence and the importation agreement started during the period when the manufacturer of Subaru, Fuji Heavy Industries, was affiliated with General Motors.

A vehicle manufactured in a country where the manufacturers' indigenous country has a free-trade agreement with other countries in the same region such as the European Union for Europe, NAFTA for North America or ASEAN for Southeast Asia and manufactured in a plant fully or partially owned by that company should not be considered a captive import. The Ford Crown Victoria, which was known for livery use in the United States, particularly for taxi and police duty, was exclusively built in Southwold, Ontario, Canada, at St. Thomas Assembly from 1992 through 2011. It is not considered a captive import in the U.S. because of free trade between the two countries, originally under the Canada–United States Automotive Products Agreement and now under NAFTA.

American market

In the American market, captive imports "blurred national distinctions" because they have been designed and built elsewhere, but wear a domestic nameplate.[3] The chief reason domestic automakers market captive imports is because "it is cheaper to import those cars than to produce them" in the United States.[3]

The Nash-Healey two-seat sports car was produced for the U.S. market between 1951 and 1954.[4] It combined a Nash Ambassador drivetrain with a European chassis and body and was a product of a partnership between Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and British automaker Donald Healey.[5] After the first model year, the Nash-Healey was restyled and assembled by Pinin Farina in Italy.[6]

The Nash Metropolitan, sold in the U.S. from 1954 until 1962, a captive import for Nash Motors (who designed it themselves, unlike most captive imports built by another company) produced by Austin in the UK specifically for sale in the U.S. By entering into a manufacturing arrangement, Nash would avoid the expense associated with tooling, body panels, and components.[7] When this two-seater sub-compact car was launched, it was the first time an American-designed car had been only built in Europe, having never been built in the United States. Unlike typical European cars of the era, its look was "American" and it had a design resemblance to the large or "senior" U.S.-built Nashes. It became one of the few small cars to sell well during the most bulk-obsessed period of U.S. automotive history.[8]

When Mercedes-Benz was seeking entry into the American market in the 1950s, the company signed a marketing agreement with StudebakerPackard and became a captive brand in their showrooms.[9] Around the same time, Pontiac dealers sold the GM's British-built Vauxhalls from 1958 until 1962.[10]

Ford, who had invented the modern captive-import system in 1948 with the British Anglia and Prefect, added its own European Ford Cortina to its North American dealer network until low demand led to its discontinuation in 1970 when the company introduced its domestic Pinto replacement, and its European market Ford Capri to its U.S. Mercury line in the 1970s and saw strong sales. Ford returned to importing the Mk1 Fiesta in 1978 when the company developed the North American market Escort/Lynx twins until 2013 when the One Ford policy was in full swing where the European market Mondeo and Fiesta are now manufactured in both North America and Europe.

During the same period, Dodge marketed several small Mitsubishi models, mostly sold as Dodge Colts (versions of which would later also be sold under the Plymouth and Eagle brands as well). Chrysler Corporation did not develop its in-house subcompacts during the late 1960s (which GM and Ford Motor Company had done with the Vega and Pinto) where they partnered with an overseas manufacturer with Mitsubishi and Hillman.

The "Plymouth Cricket" (a rebadged Hillman Avenger) and Ford's entire Merkur line were introduced to the U.S. market, but were not as successful.

General Motors marketed its German-built Opel models like the Kadett through Buick dealers in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[11] This venture yielded ambivalent results; the Opels were generally well-regarded and sales were decent but never substantial. In the 1970s, when Buick decided to phase out its Opels and sell small Isuzus instead, the result was a handful of cars carrying a global brand, Buick Opel by Isuzu. Buick was not the first to rebadge Isuzus — Chevrolet did the same with their LUV pickup truck in 1972.

In the late 1980s, GM consolidated its various captive imports of the time (the Daewoo-built Pontiac LeMans notwithstanding) under the Geo brand, which was exclusively handled by Chevrolet dealers. The cars, built variously by Toyota (the Prizm), Isuzu (Spectrum, Storm) and Suzuki (Metro, Tracker) were generally well received, but the company decided to fold the line back into Chevrolet in 1998.

In 2004, GM began marketing the Chevrolet Aveo subcompact, a rebadged Daewoo Kalos (now a rebadged Daewoo Gentra) assembled in South Korea. In 2008, GM started marketing the Saturn Astra, which is a rebadged Opel Astra, assembled in Belgium. Prior to the brand's phaseout, Pontiac also returned to the captive idea by selling Holden vehicles, first the Holden Monaro as the Pontiac GTO and then the Holden VE Commodore as the Pontiac G8. Pontiac dealers also briefly received a version of the Kalos/Gentra/Aveo, which was sold in Canada as the G3 Wave and in the U.S. as the G3.

In 2011, GM once again used a Holden model, the WM/WN Caprice, as a captive import for its Caprice PPV, but designed for law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada.

In 2013, GM used the Holden VF Commodore as the Chevrolet SS performance sedan for the 2014 model year.

Other markets

In Europe, there have been relatively few cases of captive imports, and most have been unsuccessful. The Chevrolet Venture minivan was sold as the Opel/Vauxhall Sintra (SWB) and Chevrolet Trans Sport (LWB) in the late-1990s, but was not only not to European tastes, but also gained a bad reputation due to poor results in safety tests. The practice has been revived by PSA Peugeot Citroën with the Peugeot 4007, Peugeot 4008, Citroën C-Crosser, and Citroën C4 Aircross, which are rebadged versions of the Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi ASX, respectively. However, the introduction of the Ford Mustang to Europe in 2015 has been successful, owing to the Mustang's image and unique positioning.

In Brazil, the Australian-built Holden Commodore has been sold since 1998 as Chevrolet Omega, replacing the locally built car bearing the same name. Despite being well received by the press and public, sales are much worse than its locally built counterpart, simply because of its high price. However, it is used very often as official government cars. Chevrolet also rebranded the Argentine-built Suzuki Vitara as the Chevrolet Tracker after Suzuki stopped selling cars in Brazil, but it never achieved the same sales figures as the original car.

In Japan, where foreign car manufacturers have traditionally struggled to compete in the local market, even rebadging of U.S. models like the Chevrolet Cavalier as a Toyota have failed to improve sales.

In Australia, GM's Holden operation sold the 1975-84 Isuzu Bellett/Gemini, itself a license-built version of the then-current Opel Kadett, as the Holden Gemini. The name was originally Holden-Isuzu Gemini, but after the initial TX series, the Isuzu cobranding was dropped. Perhaps the original idea was to foster the Japanese-ness of the model at a time when that might have been seen by customers as a positive, the Nissan's 610 Bluebird being marketed as the Datsun 180B being a big seller at the time. The Gemini was assembled in Australia at Acacia Ridge in Queensland and Holden was still the highest-selling brand. The Chevrolet LUV produced by Isuzu was also sold from 1973 for a couple of years, the only official Chevrolet branded model available in Australia at the time (and since). Ford sold the Taurus in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong in 1996, but stopped in 1999. In 1998, the Chevrolet Suburban, was marketed in Australia and New Zealand as a rebadged Holden Suburban with intentions to launch the full-sized SUV in a region that was used to having small to mid-sized SUVs, and the model was discontinued in 2001.

Reasons for failure

Captive imports often fail, and a shift in exchange rates can raise prices to uncompetitive levels.

Some models have been criticized for marginal quality, such as the spate of Daewoo models marketed under domestic General Motors marques during the 2000s, or for being a bad match for the local driving environment.

The commitment of domestic sales and service staff to an unfamiliar vehicle has been questioned, particularly if the import is seen as reducing sales of other, more profitable vehicles in the lineup.

Others fail due to no fault of their own; the Sunbeam Tiger, for instance, an early 1960s example of the concept of an American Ford Windsor engine in a British (Sunbeam Alpine) body and chassis, enjoyed substantial success until Sunbeam became a captive import of Chrysler Corporation in North America. Chrysler could not be realistically expected to sell a car with a Ford engine, and Chrysler V8 engines all had the distributor positioned at the rear of the engine, unlike the front-mounted distributor of the Ford V8, making it impossible to fit the Chrysler engine into the Sunbeam engine bay without major and expensive revisions. Thus this niche of the automotive market was left to be filled with legendary success by the Ford engined Shelby Cobra.

There may be a deeper, structural issue at work, however. It could simply be that a domestic buyer is unlikely to want an import, and an import buyer is unlikely to enter a domestic showroom. Also, consumers of a specific domestic brand might feel that a captive import does not have the qualities that they want and expect from vehicles of domestic vehicles manufactured by that brand. A captive thus easily falls between two stools. This is probably why the practice of using a separate brand name, such as Merkur and General Motors' short-lived Geo, has ceased — the foreignness of the car is thus discreetly made less apparent. Another factor concerns servicing where captives often do not share components with their domestic counterparts - this often leads to parts incompatibility and/or backorders.

Another view is that the practice could be seen by the public as simply dishonest, causing complete rejection. Certainly in cases when identical models are available at the same time with only the badges differentiating them such as what happened under the failed Button car plan in Australia during the 1980s.

Exceptions

Not every vehicle that appears to be a captive import really is. A vehicle that is foreign-designed or badged but assembled in the market where it is sold does not fall into this category. Such vehicles are frequently the result of joint venture or strategic alliance arrangements between automakers.

For example, the Renault Alliance was sold through American Motors (AMC) dealers starting in the fall of 1982 until production ended on 5 June 1987 after AMC was acquired by Chrysler, was actually assembled by AMC as part of a tie-up with the French company.[12][13] The 1985–1988 Chevrolet Nova and the later Geo Prizm, though it was a Toyota design and shared the Chevrolet showroom with many captives, was built domestically by the GM/Toyota NUMMI joint venture. The Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser, both sisters to the Mitsubishi Eclipse, were manufactured in the U.S. by Diamond-Star Motors, a Chrysler/ Mitsubishi Motors joint venture. Australia's Holden, although it often shares planning and hardware with the rest of GM's global empire such as Opel and Isuzu, has generally preferred to assemble its versions of such vehicles locally. Rover and Honda have co-produced models for the European market, as have Alfa Romeo and Nissan. None of these would be considered imports. With the complete ceasing of automotive production in Australia by Holden and Ford Australia in 2016, who were both considered indigenous Australian automakers, each manufacturer will be switching to a completely-imported lineup and no vehicle sold by Holden or Ford after the cease of Australian production should be considered a captive import since neither maintains an Australian manufacturing presence.

In the United States, a vehicle that is assembled in Canada or Mexico and is distributed domestically by a Big Three automaker is not considered a captive import. This is due to the integration of manufacturing operations by the Big 3 in these countries due to the hospitable trade environment created by the North American Free Trade Agreement (and before NAFTA, the US-Canada Auto Pact), coupled with the proximity of these nations to the U.S. Also, vehicles made and marketed by European automakers that were eventually acquired by the Big Three automakers, such as Land Rover, Volvo, and Saab, are generally not considered to be captive imports. The Opel vehicles sold in the 1960s and 1970s are exceptions to this rule because they were sold through the Buick distribution channel, while retaining the Opel brand name. Thus, they are captive imports.

Recent models

Examples of captive imports in the U.S. have included the Cadillac Catera, a rebadged Opel Omega, the Chevrolet Aveo, built by GM Daewoo, and the Chrysler Crossfire — an American design which mostly uses Mercedes-Benz mechanicals but was actually built by Karmann in Germany.[14] The Pontiac GTO, which was built alongside the Australian Holden Monaro, also qualifies. The Saturn Astra is another example. It is a rebadged Opel Astra that is imported from Belgium. The successor for Pontiac's seventh generation Grand Prix, the Pontiac G8, is a modified Holden VE Commodore imported from Australia.

Notable captive imports

United States

Model Year(s) Country of assembly Original model
Buick Cascada2016–2019PolandOpel Cascada
Buick Encore2013–presentSouth KoreaOpel Mokka
Buick Encore GX2021–presentSouth Korea
Buick Envision2016–presentChina
Buick Opel1976–1980JapanIsuzu Gemini
Buick Regal2010–2011 (some, but not all 2011)GermanyOpel Insignia
Cadillac Catera1997–2001GermanyOpel Omega
Chevrolet Aveo2004–2011South KoreaDaewoo Kalos
Chevrolet Caprice PPV2011–2017AustraliaHolden Caprice
Chevrolet City Express2014–2018Japan/MexicoNissan NV200
Chevrolet LUV1972–1982JapanIsuzu P'up
Chevrolet SS2014–2017AustraliaHolden VF Commodore
Chevrolet Spectrum1985–1988JapanIsuzu Gemini
Chevrolet Sprint1985–1988JapanSuzuki Cultus
Chevrolet Trailblazer (crossover)2021–presentSouth Korea
Chrysler Conquest1987–1989JapanMitsubishi Starion
Chrysler Crossfire2004–2008GermanyMercedes-Benz SLK-Class
Chrysler TC by Maserati1989–1991Italy
Dodge Challenger1978–1983JapanMitsubishi Galant Lambda
Dodge/Plymouth Colt1971–1994JapanMitsubishi Galant
Mitsubishi Mirage
Dodge Conquest1984–1986JapanMitsubishi Starion
Dodge D-501979–1986JapanMitsubishi Forte
Dodge Raider1987–1989JapanMitsubishi Pajero
Dodge Ram 501987–1989JapanMitsubishi Mighty Max
Dodge Stealth1991–1996JapanMitsubishi GTO
Eagle Medallion1988–1989FranceRenault 21
Eagle Summit1989–1996JapanMitsubishi Mirage
Mitsubishi Lancer
Ford Anglia1948–1967United KingdomFord Anglia
Ford Aspire1994–1997South KoreaKia Avella
Ford Cortina1962–1970United KingdomLotus Cortina
Ford Courier1972–1982JapanMazda B-Series
Ford Fiesta1978–1980Germany
Ford Festiva1988–1993South KoreaKia Pride
Ford Focus RS2016–2018Germany
Ford Transit Connect2010–2013Turkey
Ford Transit Connect2014–presentSpain
Geo Metro1989–1994JapanSuzuki Cultus
Geo Spectrum1989JapanIsuzu Gemini
Geo Storm1990–1993JapanIsuzu Piazza
Geo Tracker1989–1990 (some, but not all 1990)JapanSuzuki Escudo
Jeep Renegade2014–presentItaly
Lincoln Nautilus2024–presentChina
Mercury Capri1970–1977GermanyFord Capri
Mercury Capri1991–1994AustraliaFord Capri
Mercury Tracer (3-door model)1988–1989JapanMazda 323
Merkur Scorpio1988–1989GermanyFord Scorpio
Merkur XR4Ti1985–1989GermanyFord Sierra XR4i
Plymouth Arrow1976–1980JapanMitsubishi Celeste
Plymouth Arrow Truck1979–1982JapanMitsubishi Forte
Plymouth Champ1979–1982JapanMitsubishi Mirage
Plymouth Conquest1984–1986JapanMitsubishi Starion
Plymouth Cricket1971–1973United KingdomHillman Avenger
Plymouth Sapporo1978–1983JapanMitsubishi Galant Lambda
Pontiac G32009South KoreaDaewoo Kalos
Pontiac G82008–2009AustraliaHolden Commodore
Pontiac GTO2004–2006AustraliaHolden Monaro
Ram ProMaster City2015–presentTurkeyFiat Doblò
Pontiac LeMans1988–1993South KoreaDaewoo LeMans
Saturn Astra2008–2009BelgiumOpel Astra
Saturn Vue2007–2009South KoreaDaewoo Winstorm
Vauxhall Victor (sold by Pontiac dealers)1957–1962United Kingdom

Japan

Model Year(s) Country of assembly Original model
Chevrolet Optra (sold by Suzuki dealers)2005–2007South KoreaDaewoo Lacetti
Chevrolet TrailBlazer (sold by Suzuki dealers)2001–2009United States
Daihatsu Gran Max2020–presentIndonesia
Honda Accord (sedan)2020–2022,[15] 2023–presentThailand
Honda Accord (coupe)1988–1997United States
Honda Accord (wagon)1991–1997[16]United States
Honda Civic (coupe)1992–2000United States
Honda Civic (hatchback)2017–2021United Kingdom
Honda Civic Type R2001–2005, 2009–2011, 2015–2021United Kingdom
Honda Crossroad1993–1998United KingdomLand Rover Discovery
Honda Element2002–2006United States
Honda Fit Aria2003–2008ThailandHonda City
Honda Inspire/Saber1998–2002United StatesAcura TL
Honda LaGreat1999–2005CanadaHonda Odyssey (North America)
Honda MDX2003–2006CanadaAcura MDX
Honda NSX2017–2022United StatesAcura NSX
Honda Odyssey2023–presentChina
Honda WR-V2024–presentIndiaHonda Elevate
Isuzu Statesman DeVille1973–1976AustraliaHolden Statesman HQ
Mazda Bongo2020–presentIndonesiaDaihatsu Gran Max
Mazda CX-32022–presentThailand
Mazda Roadpacer AP1975–1977AustraliaHolden HJ/HX
Mitsubishi Diamante (some)1991–2005AustraliaMitsubishi Magna
Mitsubishi Eclipse1990–1998, 2004–2006United States
Mitsubishi Mirage2012–presentThailand
Mitsubishi Triton2006–2011, 2024–presentThailand
Mitsuoka Viewt2011–2022[17]ThailandNissan March
Nissan Dualis2007United KingdomNissan Qashqai
Nissan Kicks2020–presentThailand
Nissan Latio2012–2016ThailandNissan Almera
Nissan March2010–2022Thailand
Nissan Mistral1994–1999[16]SpainNissan Terrano II
Nissan Primera (hatchback)1990–2002United Kingdom
Nissan Pulsar Milano X11984–1986ItalyAlfa Romeo Arna
Subaru Traviq2001–2004ThailandOpel Zafira
Suzuki Baleno2016–2020India
Suzuki Escudo2015–presentHungarySuzuki Vitara
Suzuki Splash2008–2014Hungary
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross2015–2020Hungary
Toyota Avalon1995–1999United States
Toyota Avensis2003–2009, 2011–2018United Kingdom
Toyota Cavalier1996–2000United StatesChevrolet Cavalier
Toyota Hilux2017–presentThailand
Toyota LiteAce/TownAce2008–2020 (LiteAce)
2008–present (TownAce)
IndonesiaDaihatsu Gran Max
Toyota Pronard2000–2005United StatesToyota Avalon
Toyota Scepter (wagon/coupe)1992–1996United StatesToyota Camry (wagon/coupe)
Toyota GR Supra2019–presentAustriaBMW Z4
Toyota Voltz2002–2004United StatesPontiac Vibe

Europe

Model Year(s) Country of assembly Original model
Audi Q52016–presentMexico
BMW Z31995–2002United States
BMW X51999–presentUnited States
BMW Z42002–2008United States
BMW X32010–presentUnited States
BMW X62007–presentUnited States
BMW X42014–presentUnited States
BMW X72018–presentUnited States
BMW 2 Series2021–presentMexico
Chevrolet Trans Sport1997–2007United StatesPontiac Trans Sport
Chevrolet Alero1999–2001United StatesOldsmobile Alero
Chevrolet Evanda2000–2006South KoreaDaewoo Magnus
Chevrolet Lacetti / Nubira2002–2009South KoreaDaewoo Lacetti
Chevrolet Kalos / Aveo2002–2014South KoreaDaewoo Kalos
Chevrolet Lanos2005–2009South KoreaDaewoo Lanos
Chevrolet Matiz / Spark2005–2014South KoreaDaewoo Matiz
Chevrolet Epica2006–2011South KoreaDaewoo Tosca
Chevrolet Captiva2006–2014South KoreaDaewoo Winstorm
Chevrolet Cruze2008–2014South KoreaDaewoo Lacetti Premiere
Chevrolet Orlando2011–2014South Korea
Citroën C-Crosser2007–2012JapanMitsubishi Outlander
Citroën C4 Aircross2012–2017JapanMitsubishi ASX
Citroën Ami (electric vehicle)2020–presentMorocco
Citroën C5 X 2021–present China
Dacia Dokker 2012–2021 Morocco
Dacia Lodgy 2012–2022 Morocco
Dacia Spring 2021–present China Renault City K-ZE
DS 9 2020–present China
Fiat Fiorino1988–2014Brazil
Fiat Freemont2011–2015MexicoDodge Journey
Fiat 124 Spider2016–2019JapanMazda MX-5
Fiat Fullback2016–2019ThailandMitsubishi Triton
Fiat Topolino2023–presentMoroccoCitroën Ami (electric vehicle)
Ford Probe1989–1997United States
Ford Ka2016–2020Brazil
Ford Explorer (United Kingdom)1997–2001United States
Ford Explorer2019–presentUnited States
Ford Cougar1998–2002United StatesMercury Cougar
Ford Maverick2001–2006United StatesFord Escape
Ford Ranger2011–presentUnited States
Ford EcoSport2014–2017India
Ford Edge2014–presentCanada
Ford Mustang2015–presentUnited States
Ford Mustang Mach-E 2021–present United States
Lancia Thema2011–2014CanadaChrysler 300
Lancia Voyager2011–2015CanadaChrysler Voyager
Lancia Flavia2012–2014United StatesChrysler 200
Mercedes-Benz M-Class / GLE2005–presentUnited States
Mercedes-Benz R-Class2005–2017United States
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class / GLS2006–presentUnited States
Mercedes-Benz GLB2019–presentMexico
Every MG model made after the SAIC acquisition2006-presentChina
Opel / Vauxhall Monterey1992–2003JapanIsuzu Bighorn
Opel Frontera1992–2004JapanIsuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard
Opel / Vauxhall Sintra1996–1999United StatesChevrolet Venture
Opel GT2006–2009United StatesSaturn Sky
Opel / Vauxhall Antara2006–2015South KoreaDaewoo Winstorm
Opel / Vauxhall Ampera2012–2016United StatesChevrolet Volt
Opel / Vauxhall Mokka2012–2020South Korea
Opel Karl / Vauxhall Viva2015–2019South KoreaChevrolet Spark
Opel Ampera-e2017–2020United StatesChevrolet Bolt
Opel Rocks2021–presentMoroccoCitroën Ami (electric vehicle)
Peugeot 40072007–2012JapanMitsubishi Outlander
Peugeot 40082012–2017JapanMitsubishi ASX
Peugeot iOn 2011–2018 Japan Mitsubishi i-MIEV
Renault Koleos2008–2021South KoreaRenault Samsung QM5 / QM6
Renault Latitude2010–2015South KoreaRenault Samsung SM5
Renault Twizy2019–2023South Korea
Renault Arkana2020–presentSouth KoreaRenault Samsung XM3
Rover CityRover2003–2005IndiaTata Indica
SAAB 9-7X2004–2008United States
SAAB 9-4X2011MexicoCadillac SRX
Smart #12022–presentChina
Vauxhall Monaro2001–2006AustraliaHolden Monaro
Vauxhall VXR82007–2017AustraliaHSV Clubsport / HSV GTS
Volkswagen Caddy1982–1992Bosnia and Herzegovina (Yugoslavia)
Volkswagen Caddy pickup1996–2000CzechiaŠkoda Felicia
Volkswagen New Beetle 1999–2019 Mexico
Volkswagen Fox 2005–2011 Brazil
Volkswagen Jetta 2005–2018 Mexico
Volvo S602019–presentUnited States

Oceania

Model Year(s) Country of assembly Original model
Ford Maverick (Australia)1988–1994JapanNissan Patrol
Ford Courier1985–2006Japan/ThailandMazda B-Series
Ford Laser1981–2003JapanMazda 323
Ford Taurus Ghia (Australia and New Zealand)1996–1998United StatesFord Taurus
Ford Telstar1982–1999JapanMazda Capella
Holden Barina1985–1994JapanSuzuki Cultus
Holden Barina1994–2005SpainOpel Corsa
Holden Barina2005–2011South KoreaDaewoo Kalos
Holden Camira JJ (New Zealand)1984–1987JapanIsuzu Aska
Holden Commodore2017–2020GermanyOpel Insignia
Holden Cruze2001–2008JapanSuzuki Swift
Holden Jackaroo1981–2005JapanIsuzu Bighorn
Holden Suburban1998–2001MexicoChevrolet Suburban
Holden Vectra1995–2007GermanyOpel Vectra
Holden Viva2005–2008South KoreaDaewoo Lacetti
Holden Volt2012–2013United StatesChevrolet Volt
Pontiac LeMans (New Zealand)1986–1994South KoreaDaewoo LeMans
Rambler Rebel1967–1970United StatesAMC Rebel
Rover 416i1985–1989JapanHonda Quint Integra

Other markets

Model Year(s) Country of sale Country of assembly Imported by Original model
Chevrolet Cassia2000–2002PhilippinesJapanGeneral Motors PhilippinesSuzuki Cultus Crescent
Chevrolet Forester1997–2008IndiaJapanGeneral Motors IndiaSubaru Forester
Chevrolet Epica2004–2006CanadaSouth KoreaGeneral Motors CanadaDaewoo Magnus
Chevrolet Optra2004–2008CanadaSouth KoreaGeneral Motors CanadaDaewoo Lacetti
Chevrolet Optra2014–presentEgyptChinaGeneral Motors EgyptBaojun 630
Chevrolet Lumina1998–2013several countriesAustraliaGeneral MotorsHolden Commodore
Chevrolet Lumina2005–2006PhilippinesChinaGeneral Motors PhilippinesBuick Regal
Chevrolet Venture1999–2006PhilippinesChinaGeneral Motors PhilippinesBuick GL8
Dodge Attitude2005–2014MexicoSouth KoreaChrysler MexicoHyundai Accent
Dodge Attitude2015–presentMexicoThailandChrysler MexicoMitsubishi Attrage
Daewoo Veritas2008–2010South KoreaAustraliaGM DaewooHolden Caprice (WM)
Dodge 10002007–2008MexicoTaiwanChrysler MexicoCMC Delica
Dodge/Eagle 2000GTX1989–1992CanadaJapanChrysler CanadaMitsubishi Galant (sixth generation)
Nissan Aprio2008–2010MexicoBrazilNissan MexicoDacia Logan
Passport Optima1988–1991CanadaSouth KoreaGeneral Motors CanadaDaewoo LeMans
Perodua Nautica 2008–2009 Malaysia Japan Perodua Daihatsu Terios
Pontiac Firefly1989–2001CanadaJapanGeneral Motors CanadaSuzuki Cultus
Proton X70 2018–2020 Malaysia China Proton Geely Boyue
Renault Samsung QM3 2013–2019 South Korea Spain Renault Samsung Renault Captur
Timor S515 (some) 1996–1998 (sales continued until 2007) Indonesia South Korea Timor Putra Nasional Kia Sephia
Pyeonghwa 4101994–2002North KoreaGermanyPyeonghwaMercedes-Benz 190
Pyeonghwa Ppeokkugi2002–presentNorth KoreaVietnamPyeonghwaFiat Doblò
Pyeonghwa Ppeokkugi 4WD-B2009–presentNorth KoreaChinaPyeonghwaHuanghai Qisheng CUV
Pyeonghwa Ppeokkugi 4WD-C2009–presentNorth KoreaVietnamPyeonghwa
Pyeonghwa Hwiparam II2005–presentNorth KoreaChinaPyeonghwaBrilliance BS4
Pyeonghwa Hwiparam III2011–presentNorth KoreaChinaPyeonghwaBrilliance BS2
Pyeonghwa Paso 9902011–presentNorth KoreaChinaPyeonghwaDFSK K-Series
Pyeonghwa Samchunri2005–presentNorth KoreaChinaPyeonghwaJinbei Haise
Pyeonghwa Junma 16062013–presentNorth KoreaChinaPyeonghwaFAW-Volkswagen Sagitar
Pyeonghwa Junma 20082013–presentNorth KoreaChinaPyeonghwaFAW-Volkswagen CC

See also

References

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