Ridiculous Rebadges: Euro Mini-MPVs Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 08/17/2015 at 21:35 • Filed to: Ridiculous Rebadges, Opel, Zafira, GM, Subaru, Traviq

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Welcome to Ridiculous Rebadges, a series of articles in which I go through and examine the details and circumstances surrounding some of the more infamous and some of the more esoteric vehicular rebadges throughout automotive history.

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It’s Ridiculous Rebadge Monday and this week’s article focuses on the partnership between GM and Fuji Heavy Industries in the mid 2000s. GM realized that there was a market in Japan at the time that could be filled by the miniMPV, at that time being sold in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall/Holden Zafira. So, between 2001 and 2004, GM began importing Zafiras into Japan and selling them as Traviqs in a corporate maneuver rivaling that of the Saabaru. The name “Traviq” was designed to be a portmanteau of the words “travel” and “quick”, although as noted in Wikipedia it more resembles the word “traffic” (a la Renault Trafic...) This introduction of the new model, however, proved more troublesome than GM had anticipated because, as always, they never seem to research something before jumping into it. Therefore, there already was a separate dealer network called the Yanase Co, Ltd. which was selling Opels in Japan, lessening demand for the less opulent Traviq in lieu of the Zafira. The Traviq was cheaper since it was made in Thailand with the Holden Zafira in contrast to the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira’s Germanic assembly but this proved to be ineffective as a sales device. Therefore the car only existed for three years before being pulled and was known as one of the only modern ‘Subarus’ to ever have both an I4 engine and FWD only. The car would later be replaced by the new Exiga in 2008.

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Opel Zafira A

[First two images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]

[Third image courtesy of autoevolution.com]

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Subaru Traviq

[First two images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]

[Third image courtesy of vauxpedianet]

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Sources:

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dogisbadob > Amoore100 08/17/2015 at 21:39

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Too bad we never got that awesome MPV over here under any name :(

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 08/17/2015 at 21:41

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Agreed although I’ve heard Zafiras can be a bit boring...the C Max is rumored to be better, and we do get the C Max in the States, so it isn’t all bad...

Svend > Amoore100 08/17/2015 at 21:59

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For the last three years they have been selling the Zafiras in the U.K. For £9,999, £8,000 off original list price.

A friend bought one when her old car conked out on her and she needed a car that could take a baby, a small child, a pram and a dog (a ruddy big dog) for not much cost and it ticked all the boxes. Granted two years later she wants a Ford Kuga but that’s purely because she thinks the Zafira is a little boring but it’s done it’s job.

Amoore100 > Svend 08/17/2015 at 22:01

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Sturdy little things from what I understand. Should be sold here now that we have the Chevy Trax, why not the Chevy Zafira? (Which was already sold in Mexico...)

Svend > Amoore100 08/17/2015 at 23:12

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The Zafira Tourer and Meriva are much better looking vehicles though. The Zafira Tourer has the styling of a Vauxhall/Opel Ampera which I believe is the Chevy Volt.

Amoore100 > Svend 08/17/2015 at 23:17

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I meant that the new Zafira Tourer should be sold here as a Chevy (sorry about the unclear phrasing...)

You are right, it is very fetching and with the proper trimmings it could even be a Buick...

Nauraushaun > Amoore100 08/17/2015 at 23:36

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being sold in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira

And in Australia as the Holden Zafira!

I know I know. Nobody cares. But for the sake of completeness :)

Svend > Amoore100 08/17/2015 at 23:36

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Also I think the Flex-fit system would be quite a game changer/novelty for the outdoory pursuits family with it’s cycle carrier built into the rear bumper and pulls out and set up.

Amoore100 > Nauraushaun 08/17/2015 at 23:54

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Yep, that was in there, so I have no idea why I didn’t mention it since it’s probably even closer in heritage to the Traviq...I’ll put something in there...

Amoore100 > Svend 08/17/2015 at 23:57

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Quite, as I don’t believe we have anything like it in the US market...kind of awkward to have to move the plate however, not sure if that would fly in US standards...

Svend > Amoore100 08/18/2015 at 00:17

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Ye’, it’s a cost option on the Corsa, Astra, Meriva and Zafira Tourer. I know the Corsa didn’t have a plate issue as it was that section of the rear bumper that pulled out. In the U.K. It’s easy enough sorted as we simply have an additional rear licence plate done. I believe the U.S. Plates are specifically stamped and getting additional ones or replacements could be quite an issue. A lot of European licence plates are only clipped in so are easy enough to move.

Amoore100 > Svend 08/18/2015 at 00:22

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Ah, yeah...in the States this would only work with a bumper mounted plate, but I don’t think it matters if aftermarket racks cover the plate, but a factory option would likely be more troublesome...

pip bip - choose Corrour > dogisbadob 08/18/2015 at 04:31

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you’re glad you didn’t

2.2l motor notorious for timing chain failure , not a case of if but when it fails.

Spasoje > Amoore100 08/18/2015 at 21:50

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Fairly relevant: spotted one in town (Vancouver, BC) a month ago.

Diplomatic plates explain its presence, but it’s nonetheless interesting to see among all the North American stuff.

Amoore100 > Spasoje 08/18/2015 at 21:55

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Of course it’s relevant, and that’s pretty damned cool! (and remember, Oppo is all about irrelevance at its finest...)

Amoore100 > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/18/2015 at 21:58

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Ick, how much mileage does it usually occur at?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Amoore100 08/19/2015 at 03:56

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that’s part of the problem , no common mileage.

Amoore100 > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/19/2015 at 04:02

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Ah, that makes life difficult...is this applicable on the newer models or only the Zafira A series?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Amoore100 08/19/2015 at 04:10

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i’m only aware of Zafira-A , as Zafira-B was never sold here , but Zafira-C was sold here as an Opel (briefly - less than 100 Australia wide , some petrol , some diesel , not enough of the Zafira-C’s to comment on them to be honest)

Amoore100 > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/19/2015 at 04:19

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I should assume (hopefully) that the issue would be remedied in the newer generations although the fact that GM has taken so much responsibility in the new Corvette Z06’s engine issues makes me wary of most GM products, not to mention the whole ignition key scenario...

pip bip - choose Corrour > Amoore100 08/19/2015 at 04:50

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thankfully here in OZ we haven’t had to worry about the ignition recall.

Amoore100 > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/19/2015 at 04:55

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thankfully here in CA we don’t buy GM products so we also haven’t had to worry about the ignition recall...