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An automobile model (or car model or model of car, and typically abbreviated to just "model") is a particular brand of vehicle sold under a marque by a manufacturer, usually within a range of models, usually of different sizes or capabilities. From an engineering point of view, a particular car model is usually defined and/or constrained by the use of a particular car chassis/bodywork combination or the same monocoque or platform although sometimes this is not the case, and the model represents a marketing segment.

A model may also be referred to as a nameplate, specifically when referring to the product from the point of view of the manufacturer, especially a model over time. For example, the Chevrolet Suburban is the oldest automobile nameplate in continuous production, dating to 1934 (1935 model year), while the Chrysler New Yorker was (until its demise in 1996) the oldest North American car nameplate. "Nameplate" is also sometimes used more loosely, however, to refer to a brand or division of larger company (e.g., GMC), rather than a specific model.

This engineering frame may have derivatives, giving rise to more than one body style for a particular car model. For example, the same model can be offered as a four-door sedan (saloon), a two-door coupé, a station wagon (estate), or even as a folding-roof convertible, all derived from essentially the same engineering frame. An example of this is the BMW 3 Series.

Fully specifying an automobile can involve many levels of detail, most basically: manufacturer (company), model (brand, product name), and model year. Often, these further details are included: body style (e.g., 2-door, 4-door), trim level (often denoted by lettering after the model name), and individual options (e.g., a sunroof). In North America, formal reference to automobiles (e.g., in police reports) specify "year, make, model", i.e., model year, manufacturer, and product, as in a "2000 Toyota Camry."

Mechanical internals

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The same car model can be offered with different mechanical internals, such as a choice of several engine sizes, automatic or manual transmissions, different suspension, braking or steering systems, etc.; all of these options considered fairly interchangeable on that specific body frame. It is common for any specific car model to carry additional badges or letterings to announce the mechanical option(s) incorporated on it.

However, when the same engineering body frame is sold under a different marque or by a partner automaker, it usually becomes, from a commercial point of view, a different car model. See badge engineering.

Marketing

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Sometimes the marketing department may give each body style variant its own trade name, creating as many car models as body variants, even though they may share a large parts commonality and the engineering department may continue to consider them all part of the same project. An example of this is the Volkswagen Golf hatchback and the Volkswagen Jetta, which is of "three-box" design with a boot/trunk added to what is essentially a Golf.

Conversely, the marketing department may advertise a car model as a convenient derivative of some popular car, when in fact they may be completely different engineering projects with almost no parts commonality, or from differing generations of the model. (For example, convertibles are often so heavily engineered, for a relatively small number of sales, that an older generation model is facelifted and carried forward with a new generation of the model's other body styles.) However, this can also mean that it can change some things.

Regional variations

The same car model may be sold by the automaker in different countries under different model names. Examples includeMitsubishi Pajero / Montero, Mazda MX-5 / Miata, Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit and Ford Everest / Endeavour

Trim level

For a particular model, the trim level identifies the level of equipment or special features.

Model years

See also

• Automotive industry
• Badge engineering
• Facelift (automotive)
• Marque
• Model year

References

1. "Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero". www.hemmings.com.
2. "Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero SUV Redesign Delayed, PHEV Possible". www.motortrend.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
3. "2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata may be getting 181 hp". www.autoblog.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
4. "2007 Volkswagen Rabbit". www.caranddriver.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
5. "Ford Endeavour facelift spied in Thailand". www.autocarindia.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
6. "2018 Ford Endeavour/2018 Ford Everest (facelift) spied testing for the first time". www.indianautosblog.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.

• Automotive industry
• Bundled products or services