Random Question about badging...

wba31

I dont know if there is an answer to this, but I was wondering why do car makers put the spec/engine size badges on the backs of cars? I can understand if someone has a BMW M, or Audi S-line, or Golf GTi, Civic Type R etc, but for example, my 2004 diesel civic, not something that turns any heads when i drive down the road, but why would honda stick the ctdi badge on the back? take the badge off and it could be any model (bar the type r/s) in the range, and it doesnt matter. I saw a focus this morning with 1.6 on the back, which is nothing to shout about really... My wife wondered (we have incredible conversations early in the morning!) if its for when you're buying a car, but then I said I check the logbook and HPI check for those details, not what a sticker on a car says...

can anyone shed any light on why these badges are put on? or is it just something that's done - ask no questions!

ukpete79

So that you will be an advert for the brand!

so many cars driving around with different specs, it shows others the range available from various companies.

Also, in more recent years, manufacturers have become very aware of 'badge envy' to quote your own post

"I saw a focus this morning with 1.6 on the back, which is nothing to shout about really..."
some people may want to shy away from telling everyone that they bought the base model! as such its a very good way of upselling!

gilbert_and_sullivan

To encourage the buyer to spend more of their money to get the better spec and tell the world they have.

Big market in aftermarket badges....look how many AMG badges are stuck to the bootlids of bog standard Mercedes Benz.

Most debadged cars are lower spec, exhaust is the usual giveaway.

Strider590

What I don't get is why so many cars now seem to have ECO<something> on the back........ Like anyone really gives a f**k.

Seriously? I'd have the meaningless POS off in seconds if I owned that car :mad:

poppasmurf_bewdley

In the 60's you used to get boot badges saying 'automatic' or 'overdrive', when frequently these were the only options available to purchase on a new car. It just marked the car as a step up from normal.

mattyprice4004

A 1.6 Focus isn't the smallest engine you can get, it shows they've not got the base model.

I've de-badged my car - I like to make people wonder. Especially when overtaking at warp factor 9 in a granddad's car.

thegirlintheattic

I've just realized my car doesn't have anything but the fiesta and ford badges on the back. Looking at others it should have a Zetec and TDCI badge. Shows how much attention I pay!

Horseunderwater

Many years ago, back when I were youngish - I decided I needed to get an Astra and went for the LX model as it had certain added extras for less money than the equivilant SRI. When they told me car had arrived 10 days later or so I went to pick it up only to find no X on the back of the car. I asked them where the X was? They were puzzled too! They rang factory to be told the factory had run out of them as it was such a popular model! But they did confirm that car was in fact an LX! Took me a year to get that X back! I still think that it is funny that Vauxhall could possible run out of X's even now!
Shortly after that I sold it for an escort.

patman99

It was common to 'upgrade' your car buy simply removing the existing badge and replacing it with the badge from a top of the range model round my way. Now, all the rage is to de-badge.
Apparently, someone reconed by not having a badge on it, a Traffic Warden/CEO would be unable to ticket it due to not being able to correctly confirm both make and model.

Always makes me laugh when some chav spurts that useless piece of info to his mates.

Ranger8

Some badges are on vehicles for a reason, early Jaguars had disc brake warnings on cars with them fitted to warn of their superior braking to following motorists with drum brakes.:)

vaio

someone I know has an old (early '90s) and much modified Audi S4 estate, it's stupidly quick and he's taken the S4 badges off and replaced them with the TDI version