Quote:
Originally posted by Hudson
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Once again, Toyota developed the Matrix and the Vibe, and GM wells the Vibe. Oddly enough, Toyota also sells the Vibe in Japan as the Toyota Voltz. GM and Toyota NEVER merged.
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This is true. Just because automakers share technology on a car or two, doesn't mean they are "merged". If this was the case, then GM would have been merged with Toyota since the early nineties, when the Corolla/Prizm twins were released.
It's not unusual at all for automakers to team up on a car to help fill up their lineup, or to meet EPA mileage fleet standards sometimes. For example, the older Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager. It was designed cosmetically by Nissan, but built by Ford. Ford and Nissan collaborated in an attempt to take on the market leading Chrysler minivans.
from
http://www.sandiegometro.com/1997/jan/roadtest.html
"The Nissan Quest and its almost identical sister, the Mercury Villager, were entirely designed in San Diego. Both debuted in 1992. The minivans were assembled at Ford Motor Co.'s Avondale facility in Ohio, from parts provided by Nissan plants both in this country and in Japan. The drive train, including the V-6 power plant from the highly acclaimed Nissan Maxima, is built up in the U.S. from subassemblies manufactured in Nissan's Japanese factories. This is an example of the new international cross pollination of vehicles and major automotive companies, and how they are quietly cooperating in product design and manufacture."
Additionally, the Ford Aspire was manufactured by Kia, and the early nineties Ford Escort was actually made by Mazda.