Home > News & Blogs > National Friendship Day: Vehicle Matchups That Feel More Like Frenemies
National Friendship Day: Vehicle Matchups That Feel More Like Frenemies
5 Iconic Automotive Collaborations: When Rivals Became Partners
National Friendship Day—observed annually on the first Sunday of August—may have started as a marketing ploy for greeting card sales, but it’s also a perfect opportunity to celebrate some of the most surprising partnerships in the automotive world. While many cars are simple rebadges (think Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra), some collaborations go deeper, blending engineering prowess from competing brands to create something truly unique.
$19375 Gas 93184 mi
Good
Deal
0
(5)
$24950 Gas 37670 mi
Fair
Deal
0
(5)
$270257 Gas 36 mi
Good
Deal
0
(5)
Chrysler Pacifica Touring L FWD
2018 Dodge Challenger SXT Plus RWD
2024 Bentley Bentayga
Below, we highlight five fascinating examples of automakers setting aside rivalries to build remarkable vehicles. These aren’t just badge-engineered clones—they’re genuine joint efforts that brought together the best of both worlds.
1. Fiat 124 Spider & Mazda MX-5 Miata: Italian Flair Meets Japanese Precision
Fiat 124 Spider: Italian design, turbocharged engine, retro-inspired styling.
Mazda MX-5 Miata: Lightweight, naturally aspirated, pure driving joy.
Though built on the same Hiroshima assembly line and sharing a platform, the Fiat 124 Spider and Mazda MX-5 Miata offer distinct driving experiences. The Fiat brings Italian styling and a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, while the Miata stays true to its lightweight, naturally aspirated roots. Which one wins? It depends on whether you prefer Italian passion or Japanese precision.
--TOP ADVERTISEMENT HERE--
Key Differences:
- Engine: Fiat’s turbocharged 1.4L vs. Mazda’s 2.0L naturally aspirated
- Design: Fiat’s retro curves vs. Mazda’s KODO “Soul of Motion” styling
- Driving Feel: Fiat’s torque-heavy powerband vs. Mazda’s high-revving fun
2. Subaru BRZ & Toyota 86: The Twins That Revived Affordable RWD Sports Cars
Subaru BRZ: Slightly stiffer suspension, Subaru’s boxer engine.
Toyota 86: Identical specs, different branding (formerly Scion FR-S).
The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 (previously the Scion FR-S) are nearly identical, but their collaboration proved that rear-wheel-drive sports cars could still be affordable. Powered by Subaru’s 2.0L boxer engine and tuned for balance, these cars prioritize handling over horsepower—making them perfect for driving enthusiasts.
$6176 Gas 158183 mi
Fair
Deal
0
(5)
$61488 diesel 54487 mi
Good
Deal
0
(5)
$12243 Gas 77700 mi
Good
Deal
1
(5)
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 RWD
2016 Buick Cascada
Why They Matter:
- Proved that affordable, driver-focused cars still have a market
- Shared development reduced costs for both brands
- Later updates (like the 2022 redesign) kept the formula fresh
3. Nissan NV200 & Chevrolet City Express: A Short-Lived Van Partnership
In an attempt to compete with Ford’s Transit Connect, Nissan and GM teamed up to rebadge the Nissan NV200 as the Chevrolet City Express. Unfortunately, slow sales led to its discontinuation in 2018. Still, it remains an interesting case of American-Japanese cooperation in the commercial vehicle space.
--FIRST CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--
4. Toyota Supra & BMW Z4: A Legend Reborn with German Engineering
The fifth-generation Toyota Supra marked the return of an icon—but this time with heavy input from BMW. Sharing its platform and engine with the BMW Z4, the new Supra blends Toyota’s sports car heritage with Bavarian performance.
$6176 Gas 158183 mi
Fair
Deal
0
(5)
$61488 diesel 54487 mi
Good
Deal
0
(5)
$12243 Gas 77700 mi
Good
Deal
1
(5)
2011 BMW 1 Series 128i
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL 450 RWD
2016 Buick Cascada
What BMW Brought to the Table:
- Inline-six engine (B58) for smooth, powerful performance
- ZF 8-speed automatic transmission (a proven performance gearbox)
- Advanced chassis tuning for precision handling
5. Hyundai & Kia: More Than Just Corporate Cousins
While Hyundai owns a majority stake in Kia, the two brands maintain distinct identities—yet they frequently share platforms and engines. Models like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, or the Genesis G80 and Kia K900, showcase how collaboration can lead to diverse yet high-quality vehicles.
--SECOND CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT HERE--
Final Thoughts: Why Automotive Collaborations Matter
These partnerships prove that even in a competitive industry, teamwork can lead to innovation. Whether it’s combining Italian design with Japanese engineering (Fiat/Mazda) or infusing a Japanese icon with German performance (Toyota/BMW), these collaborations have given us some of the most exciting cars in recent memory.
At MotorVero, we celebrate these unique automotive friendships—because sometimes, the best cars come from unexpected alliances.
--FOURTH CAR LIST HERE--
motorvero013
Last Updated On Apr, 02-2025