Top 10+ Times Automakers Used Old Parts From Competitors

Sharing truly is caring, and these automakers are not strangers to sharing parts. Whether it is referring to interior parts, powertrains, or transmissions, if they're of good quality and work well…why not use them? For example, this didn't make the list, but the Z4 from the late 90s used a 4-speed transmission from GM. That same transmission was also used in a bevy of other European products.

There's also a term that may or may not be widely known, called “Badged Engineering.” This term refers to a pair (or three, depending on the brand) of vehicles that share almost everything identically. The difference is that they just changed the badge on the interior and exterior. This typically happens within automakers that share brands like GMC, Chevrolet and Cadillac. For example, the Escalade, Yukon and Tahoe are the best examples of modern day badged engineering. To their credit, however, it's not as egregious as it used to be.

It takes a lot of money to make a bespoke vehicle from scratch. Depending on what kind of car it is, whether luxury or standard, SUV or compact sedan, it can range anywhere from millions to billions of dollars to invest in developing. That's why, sometimes, it's easier for automakers to reach out to one another and get parts from each other. We've compiled a list of some of the most famous examples of that.

Mercedes-Benz And Aston Martin

Take What You Need And Leave The Rest

In 2013, Aston Martin teamed up with Mercedes-Benz to supply Aston with a few crucial components and parts. The unfortunate reality of Aston Martin is that they are in debt to the tune of $1.6 billion. Therefore, it would take a lot more money to build their own bespoke parts, internally speaking.

Interior And Engine

• Bi-Turbo V8 Engines
• Electrical systems include controllers for infotainment systems.

If you're a car enthusiast of any description, and you have set foot in a recent Aston Martin, it is no secret, and it is plainly obvious that Mercedes has a hand in recent Astons. Not only do they use Mercedes-Benz powertrains. While Aston Martin still makes their own bespoke V12s, they do glean the Bi-Turbo V8 engines for products like the DBX.

Mercedes-Benz And Infinity

The Infinity QX30

Renault-Nissan and Daimler have been in business for quite a long time at this point. This also isn't their first move into a joint venture type vehicle. For example, Mercedes-Benz made a short-lived pickup truck called the “X-Class” that was based directly off of a Nissan Nevera, powertrains and all. That's why it would make sense for Nissan to fill a much-needed niche with the Infiniti QX30, using the bones of the Mercedes-Benz GLA .

Interior Bits

• Door controls
• Gauge cluster
• Infotainment systems
• HVAC controller
• Steering wheel controller

If you've ever seen a QX30 in person, you know that the interior is basically a Mercedes-Benz with an Infiniti badge on the steering wheel. Everything from the door panel controls to the layout of the gauge cluster is plucked straight out of a Mercedes. Nissan did throw some of their own parts in there for the infotainment system's control for infotainment buttons, but the rest screams MB.

Mercedes-Benz And Tesla

A Startup Brand

Back when Tesla was just a small electric vehicle brand disrupting the market, they used a fair amount of parts from the Mercedes-Benz Daimler bin. Now, if you look inside a Tesla, they have their own bespoke parts. Not to mention, they don't have many parts to begin with. It is actually more profitable to not include things like gear selectors or turn signal stocks, as you don't have to pay to manufacture them.

Interior Features

• Door controls
• Gear selector
• Windshield wiper stalks

Back when Tesla was still using things like the aforementioned gear selectors and windshield wiper stalks, they were lifted directly out of that same generation of Mercedes-Benz parts. It makes sense too, as Tesla has positioned themselves as a luxury EV brand. Half the reason Tesla became so successful is because they made electric cars “cool” and, with the help of Mercedes, also made them luxurious and more sought after.

General Motors and Fisker

Propping Up A Sinking Ship

By now, we have all seen the headlines about how the value of Fisker Oceans has dramatically decreased the minute they step off the lot. It is an unfortunate reality for a promising EV brand. When Fisker first started out, they received a little help from their good friends at General Motors.

Interior And Exterior Parts

• 2.0-liter Ecotec 4-Cylinder Engine
• Steering wheel stalks

The Fisker Karma was only produced from 2011 to 2012. It is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that uses the same 2.0-liter Ecotec 4-cylinder engine that is used in a fair number of GM products. It's fair to say that a lot of the electrical systems in the Karma are also General Motors, but it's hard to say. The only obvious pull from the GM parts bin are the steering wheel stalks.

BMW And Toyota

A Match Made In Heaven

Love it or hate it, the Toyota Supra not only uses the majority of its components from the BMW Z4 , it's also made in the same factory as the Z4 and some other BMWs. When Toyota decided to bring back the iconic Supra, they turned to the brand that is known for, “the ultimate driving machine,” BMW. As stated before, it takes a lot of money to build a car from the ground up, so Toyota made a smart decision by going to an iconic performance brand.

Interior And Engine

• B58 inline six-cylinder engine
• Center console controller
• Infotainment system
• BMW fonts

Lifting the hood on the Supra, you can actually count how many BMW badges line the engine bay. Not only that, but it even has BMW chimes for when you enter the interior and start the car itself. Again, this was a smart move by Toyota, however, because if you watch some videos comparing the two, Toyota actually ends up beating the Z4 every time.

Toyota And Subaru

Saved By Toyota

Parts Share

• Key fobs
• Lock sounds
• Interior parts
• BRZ and GR86

Most notably, and almost completely identical, are the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86. Not only do they share the same powertrain, drivetrain and transmission, they also share such a similar body that it is hard to tell them apart. Subaru also used to use a lot of parts, like the key fob from Toyota, as well as some interior bits.

Chevrolet And Nissan

You Wouldn't Know It From Looking At It

General Motors and Renault-Nissan really don't share much in common in terms of parts, platforms or the like. There is one instance, however, that Chevrolet did nab a pre-existing platform from the global company.

Work Trucks

• Chevrolet City Express

Talk about badged engineering, the Chevrolet City Express van was a direct model takeover from the pre-existing Nissan NV200. The NV200 is not the most popular state side, but it is widely used as a taxi van in NYC. The only differentiating factor between the two is the Chevrolet bow tie badge. Everything else is very obviously Nissan.

Subaru Solterra And Toyota bz4x

Twinsies!

You can easily tell the difference between the Subaru Solterra and the Toyota bz4x from the front end, and that's about it. Everything else is so identical, it's actually a great representation of badge engineering.

Similarities And Differences

• Solterra Starting MSRP: $44,000
• bz4x Starting MSRP: $43,000
• bz4x front wheel or all-wheel drive
• Solterra is only all-wheel drive

There are a few things that differentiate the two vehicles, but again, they are very few. The Subaru is sold as the more premium version with the standard all-wheel drive option, as well as a few more trim levels to choose from. The Toyota version is a bit more frugal, but not by much.

Ford And Jaguar

The X-Type

Before Jaguar was bought out by the Tata Group, Jaguar was actually owned by the blue oval: Ford. The Jaguar X-Type is affectionately referred to as one of the last classic Jaguars, but did you know that it's based off of the same platform as the Ford Cougar?

A Ford With A Jaguar Badge

• Ford diesel engine

Apart from the option for Ford diesel engines and the platform itself, there really is not an obvious calling card that screams Ford.

VW Beetle and Porsche 356

Cut From The Same Cloth

Although they are vastly different vehicles, the Volkswagen Käfer is not only the original of the two, but also the VW was designed by Ferdinand Porsche himself. With that being said, it makes sense that the original 356 looks oddly similar to the original beetle.

Opposites Attract

• Similar styles, but the beetle is taller and more utilitarian.
• Same platform.
• Same engine, transmission, etc.

Obviously, the VW Beetle is a global icon that can be found in every and all facets of previous and modern day culture. The Porsche, on the other hand, kick-started one of the most iconic sports cars that's ever been on the road.