These model names have been used by multiple brands

In any case, it was crystal clear with the BMW Concept XM: BMW had to sit down with Citroën to ensure that the model name could be used. Not that you would ever confuse the huge SUV that is the Concept XM with the stately Citroen, by the way. Lexus applies much the same trick to the RZ, a pure electric SUV that bears no resemblance to the Alfa Romeo RZ, the angular Zagato-designed sports car. Sometimes it’s a little closer together, as can be seen in some of the examples below.

Lincoln LS / Lexus LS

Lincoln LS.

Both a sedan, yet very different. Where the Lexus LS is the flagship of the Japanese, the Lincoln LS is just a middle class. However, they both have rear-wheel drive and generously sized engines. The Lincoln LS had a relatively short life, as the model was only in production from 1999 to 2006. Lexus has been using the model name LS since 1989 and the top limousine is now five generations further.

Toyota Century / Buick Century

The Buick Century Wagon.

Another Japanese-American agreement. Here, however, it is Buick that first used the name, because the first Buick Century dates back to 1936. Then the name reappeared in 1954 for a completely different car, and then appeared on various mid-range cars from 1973 to 2005. The Century from Toyota is considered the absolute top model of the brand. The first generation appeared in 1967 and since 2018 Toyota has only had the third generation in production.

Chevrolet Monza / Ferrari Monza / Opel Monza

Chevy Monza.

Most car enthusiasts will associate the name Monza with the ‘Temple of Speed’ in Italy. That’s why a Ferrari called Monza is a sounding combination. The Prancing Horse brand was first mentioned on the 750 Monza in 1954 and later the 860 Monza in 1956. Not long ago, Ferrari brought the name back with the Monza SP (1 and 2): an outlandish supercar. without windshield. Where the Ferraris are now each worth capital, that flying does not apply to the Chevrolet Monza built from 1974 to 1980: a car that was more at the lower end of the range. In addition to these two Monzas, there was of course another Monza: the Opel Monza, a coupé that was in production from 1978 to 1986.

GMC Sierra / Ford Sierra

Ford Sierra.

Both models date from the 1980s, but that’s where the comparison ends. Where the GMC Sierra is a pick-up that shares its base with the Chevrolet Silverado, the Ford Sierra was a mid-sized car that was available in several body styles. The contrast could hardly be greater. The Sierra came on the market in 1982 as a successor to the Taunus and Cortina and lasted until 1993. The GMC Sierra, on the other hand, saw the light of day in 1988, but continues to this day.

Maserati Sebring / Chrysler Sebring

Maserati Sebring.

This name similarity is somewhat similar to the Monza’s. The Maserati Sebring was an elegant 2+2 coupé, which had all the characteristics of an Italian GT. The model was built from 1962 to 1969 and during that time only 593 copies were made. The Chrysler Sebring came on the market much later, but lasted longer. The middle class saw the light of day in 1994 and passed away in 2010 after three generations. Here too, the contrast between the Maserati and the Chrysler could hardly be greater.

Opel Diplomat / Dodge Diplomat

Dodge Diplomat.

The Opel and Dodge Diplomat come closer together. For Opel, the Diplomat as the successor to the Kapitän was the top model, while the Dodge Diplomat was known as a middle class. Then the different standards between Europe and America come into play, because both cars are about the same size. The Opel Diplomat has some American features in its design. Considering the Chevrolet V8 that you could get under the hood, that is not even very strange from Opel. The Dodge Diplomat was available with a Chrysler V8, but the two models are quite similar in design.

To keep the article manageable, let’s leave it at the above examples for now. Do you have other model names that have been used by multiple brands? Don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments!